18 I have heard (A)Ephraim grieving,
‘You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined,
    like an untrained calf;
(B)bring me back that I may be restored,
    for you are the Lord my God.
19 For after (C)I had turned away, I relented,
    and after I was instructed, (D)I struck my thigh;
(E)I was ashamed, and I was confounded,
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’
20 (F)Is Ephraim my dear son?
    (G)Is he my darling child?
For as often as I speak against him,
    I do remember him still.
(H)Therefore my heart[a] yearns for him;
    I will surely have mercy on him,
declares the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Jeremiah 31:20 Hebrew bowels

18 “I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning:
    ‘You disciplined(A) me like an unruly calf,(B)
    and I have been disciplined.
Restore(C) me, and I will return,
    because you are the Lord my God.
19 After I strayed,(D)
    I repented;
after I came to understand,
    I beat(E) my breast.
I was ashamed(F) and humiliated
    because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’(G)
20 Is not Ephraim my dear son,
    the child(H) in whom I delight?
Though I often speak against him,
    I still remember(I) him.
Therefore my heart yearns for him;
    I have great compassion(J) for him,”
declares the Lord.

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