Jeremiah 31:18-20

International Children’s Bible

¹⁸ “I have heard Israel moaning:
    ‘Lord, you punished me, and I have learned my lesson.
    I was like a calf that had never been trained.
Take me back, and I will come back.
    You truly are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ Lord, I wandered away from you.
    But I changed my heart and life.
Once I understood,
    I beat my breast with sorrow.
I am ashamed and disgraced
    because of the foolish things I did when I was young.’

²⁰ “You know that Israel is my dear son.
    I love that child.
Yes, I often speak against Israel,
    but I still remember him.
I love him very much.
    And I want to comfort him,” says the Lord.