14
“But then I will win her back once again.
I will lead her into the desert
and speak tenderly to her there.
15
I will return her vineyards to her
and transform the Valley of Trouble 1 into a gateway of hope.
She will give herself to me there,
as she did long ago when she was young,
when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.
16
When that day comes,” says the Lord ,
“you will call me ‘my husband’
instead of ‘my master.’ 2
17
O Israel, I will wipe the many names of Baal from your lips,
and you will never mention them again.
18
On that day I will make a covenant
with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky
and the animals that scurry along the ground
so they will not harm you.
I will remove all weapons of war from the land,
all swords and bows,
so you can live unafraid
in peace and safety.
19
I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
20
I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as the Lord .
21
“In that day, I will answer,”
says the Lord .
“I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds.
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.
22
Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer,
‘Jezreel’ - ‘God plants!’
23
At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites
and raise them for myself.
I will show love
to those I called ‘Not loved.’ 3
And to those I called ‘Not my people,’ 4
I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’
And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”