1. At that time—oracle of the Lord—I will be the God of all the families of Israel,and they shall be my people.
2. Thus says the Lord:The people who escaped the swordfind favor in the wilderness.As Israel comes forward to receive rest,
3. from afar the Lord appears:With age-old love I have loved you;so I have kept my mercy toward you.
4. Again I will build you, and you shall stay built,virgin Israel;Carrying your festive tambourines,you shall go forth dancing with merrymakers.
5. You shall again plant vineyardson the mountains of Samaria;those who plant them shall enjoy their fruits.
6. Yes, a day will come when the watchmencall out on Mount Ephraim:“Come, let us go up to Zion,to the Lord, our God.”