Jeremiah 30
1 This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:
CONCERNING THE SONS OF AMMON thus says the Lord, Are there no sons in Israel? or have they no one to succeed [them]? therefore has Melchol inherited Galaad, and why shall their people dwell in their cities?
2 This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write down in a book everything I've told you.
Therefore, behold, the days come, says the Lord, when I will cause to be heard in Rabbath a tumult of wars; and they shall become a waste and ruined place, and her altars shall be burnt with fire; then shall Israel succeed to his dominion.
3 Look, the time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will bring back my people Israel and Judah from captivity, declares the Lord. I will bring them back to the country I gave to their forefathers, and they will own it again.
Howl, O Esebon, for Gai has perished; cry, you daughters of Rabbath, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and lament; for Melchol shall go into banishment, his priests and his princes together.
4 This what the Lord said about Israel and Judah.
Why do you exult in the plains of the Enakim, you haughty daughter, that trust in [your] treasures, that say, Who shall come in to me?
5 This is what the Lord says: Hear the cries of panic, cries of fear, not peace.
Behold, I [will] bring terror upon you, says the Lord, from all the country round about you; and you shall be scattered every one right before him, and there is none to gather you.
6 Think about it! Can men give birth? No. So why do I see every man holding his stomach with his hands like a woman in labor. Why is every face white as a sheet?
7 What a terrible day it will be—a day like never before! This is the time of trouble for Jacob's descendants, but they will be rescued from it.
8 On that day, declares the Lord Almighty, I will break the yoke from their necks and tear off their chains. Foreigners won't make them slaves anymore.
9 They will serve the Lord their God, and their king, David's descendant whom I will give them.
10 As far as you're concerned, my servant Jacob, don't be afraid, declares the Lord, Israel, don't be discouraged. I promise to save you from your distant places of exile, your descendants from the countries where they're being held captive. The descendants of Jacob will go home to a quiet and comfortable life, free from any threats.
11 I am with you and I will save you, declares the Lord. Even though I'm going to completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you, I won't completely destroy you. However, I will discipline you as you deserve, and you can be sure I won't leave you unpunished.
12 This is what the Lord says: You have a wound that cannot be healed, you have a terrible injury.
13 There's no one to take care of your case, no cure for your sores, no healing for you.
14 All your lovers have forgotten about you; they don't bother looking for you anymore, because I have beaten you as if I were your enemy, the discipline of a cruel person, because of how wicked you are, because of your many sins.
15 Why are you crying over your wound? You pain can't be cured. I did this to you because of how wicked you are, because of your many sins.
16 Even so, everyone who destroys you will be destroyed. All your enemies, every last one, will be sent into exile. Those who plundered you will be plundered, and all who robbed you will be robbed.
17 But I will give you back your health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord, because people say you've been abandoned and that no one cares about you, Zion.
18 This is what the Lord says: I will bring Jacob's descendants back to their homes and have mercy on their families. The city will be rebuilt on top of its ruins, and the palace once again stand where it should.
19 People will be singing songs of thanks, the sounds of celebration. I will increase their number—they will not become less. I will honor them—they will not be treated as insignificant.
20 Their children will be looked after like they used to be. I will make their nation strong again, and punish anyone who attacks them.
21 Their leader will be from their own country, their ruler will be chosen from among them. I will invite him to come close to me, and he will do so, for would anyone dare to approach me without being asked? declares the Lord.
22 You will be my people, and I will be your God.
23 Watch out! The Lord has sent out a furious storm, a tornado swirling around the heads of the wicked.
CONCERNING DAMASCUS. Emath is brought to shame, and Arphath: for they have heard an evil report: they are amazed, they are angry, they shall be utterly unable to rest.
24 The Lord's anger won't fade until he's finished doing everything he wants. Only then will you really understand.
Damascus is utterly weakened, she is put to flight; trembling has seized upon her.
How has she not left my city, they have loved the village?
Therefore shall the young men fall in your streets, and all your warriors shall fall, says the Lord.
And I will kindle a fire in the wall of Damascus, and it shall devour the streets of the son of Ader.
CONCERNING KEDAR THE QUEEN OF THE PALACE, WHOM NABUCHODONOSOR KING OF BABYLON SMOTE, thus says the Lord; Arise you, and go up to Kedar, and fill the sons of Kedem.
They shall take their tents and their sheep, they shall take for themselves their garments, and all their baggage and their camels; and summon you destruction against them from every side.
Flee you, dig very deep for a dwelling-place, you that dwell in the palace; for the king of Babylon has framed a counsel, and devised a device against you.
Rise up, and go up against a nation settled [and] dwelling at ease, who have no doors, nor bolts, nor bars, [who] dwell alone.
And their camels shall be a spoil, and the multitude of their cattle shall be destroyed: and I will scatter them as chaff with every wind, having their hair cut about their foreheads, I will bring on their overthrow from all sides, says the Lord.
And the palace shall be a resting-place for ostriches, and desolate for ever: no man shall abide there, and no son of man shall dwell there.
