Jeremiah 31:18-20

New Century Version

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 so that I may come back.
    You truly are the Lord my God.
¹⁹ Lord, after I wandered away from you,
    I changed my heart and life.
After I understood,
    I beat my breast with sorrow.
I was ashamed and disgraced,
    because I suffered for the foolish things I did when I was young.’

²⁰ “You know that Israel is my dear son,
    The child I love.
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.