¹² He will lift up a banner for the nations
and gather the dispersed of Israel;^(A)
he will collect the scattered of Judah
from the four corners of the earth.^(B)

¹⁰ As for you, my servant Jacob,^(A)
do not be afraid—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
and do not be discouraged, Israel,
for without fail I will save you out of a distant place,
your descendants, from the land of their captivity!
Jacob will return and have calm and quiet
with no one to frighten him.^(B)

⁸ Watch! I am going to bring them from the northern land.
I will gather them from remote regions of the earth^(A)—
the blind and the lame will be with them,^(B)
along with those who are pregnant and those about to give birth.
They will return here as a great assembly!^(C)
9 They will come weeping,
but I will bring them back with consolation.^[a](D)
I will lead them to wadis filled with water,
by a smooth way where they will not stumble,^(E)
for I am Israel’s Father,
and Ephraim is my firstborn.^(F)
10 Nations, hear the word of the Lord,
and tell it among the far off coasts and islands!^(G)
Say, “The one who scattered Israel will gather him.^(H)
He will watch over him as a shepherd guards his flock,
¹¹ for the Lord has ransomed Jacob
and redeemed him from the power of one stronger than he.”^(I)
12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion;^(J)
they will be radiant with joy^(K)
because of the Lord’s goodness,
because of the grain, the new wine, the fresh oil,^(L)
and because of the young of the flocks and herds.
Their life will be like an irrigated garden,
and they will no longer grow weak from hunger.
¹³ Then the young women will rejoice with dancing,
while young and old men rejoice together.
I will turn their mourning into joy,^(M)
give them consolation,
and bring happiness out of grief.
¹⁴ I will refresh the priests with an abundance,^[b](N)
and my people will be satisfied with my goodness.
This is the Lord’s declaration.