Jeremiah 30

1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:

2 "Thus speaks the LORD, the God of Israel, saying, 'Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a scroll.

This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Write down in a book everything I've told you.

3 For, look, the days come, says the LORD, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah,' says the LORD; 'and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.'"

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.

4 These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah.

This what the Lord said about Israel and Judah.

5 For thus says the LORD: "We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.

This is what the Lord says: Hear the cries of panic, cries of fear, not peace.

6 Ask now, and see whether a man does travail with child: why do I see every man with his hands on his waist, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

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 Alas, for that day is great, so that none is like it. It is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

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 It shall come to pass in that day," says the LORD of hosts, "that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondservant;

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 but they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up to them.

They will serve the Lord their God, and their king, David's descendant whom I will give them.

10 Therefore do not be afraid, O Jacob my servant, says the LORD; neither be dismayed, Israel: for, look, I will save you from afar, and your descendants from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be quiet and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

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 For I am with you, says the LORD, to save you: for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have scattered you, but I will not make a full end of you; but I will correct you in measure, and will in no way leave you unpunished."

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 For thus says the LORD, "Your hurt is incurable, and your wound grievous.

This is what the Lord says: You have a wound that cannot be healed, you have a terrible injury.

13 There is none to plead your cause, that you may be bound up: you have no healing medicines.

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 you; they do not seek you: for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy, with the chastisement of a cruel one, for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased.

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 do you cry for your hurt? Your pain is incurable: for the greatness of your iniquity, because your sins were increased, I have done these things to you.

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 Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured; and all your adversaries, everyone of them, shall go into captivity; and those who plunder you shall be plundered, and all who prey on you I will make a prey.

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 For I will restore health to you, and I will heal you of your wounds," says the LORD; "because they have called you an outcast, saying, 'It is Zion, whom no man seeks after.'"

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 Thus says the LORD: "Look, I will turn again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have compassion on his dwelling places; and the city shall be built on its own hill, and the palace shall be inhabited in its own way.

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 Out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of those who make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

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 also shall be as before, and their congregation shall be established before me; and I will punish all who oppress them.

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 prince shall be of themselves, and their ruler shall proceed from their midst; and I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach to me: for who is he who has had boldness to approach to me? says the LORD.

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 shall be my people, and I will be your God.

You will be my people, and I will be your God.

23 Look, the storm of the LORD, his wrath, has gone forth, a sweeping storm: it shall burst on the head of the wicked.

Watch out! The Lord has sent out a furious storm, a tornado swirling around the heads of the wicked.

24 The fierce anger of the LORD will not return, until he has executed, and until he has performed the intentions of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it.

The Lord's anger won't fade until he's finished doing everything he wants. Only then will you really understand.