Their eyes will be filled with tears as they come. They will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water. I will lead them on a level path where they will not trip or fall. I am Israel’s father. And Ephraim is my oldest son.

他们要哭泣而来。我要照他们恳求的引导他们，使他们在河水旁走正直的路，在其上不致绊跌；因为我是以色列的父，以法莲是我的长子。”

他们要哭泣而来。我要照他们恳求的引导他们，使他们在河水旁行走正直的路，他们在其上必不致绊跌；因为我是以色列的父，以法莲是我的长子。

他们要哭泣而来。我要照他们恳求的引导他们，使他们在河水旁行走正直的路，他们在其上必不致绊跌；因为我是以色列的父，以法莲是我的长子。

我必引领他们回来，他们必一路含泪祷告。我要使他们走在溪水边，行在平坦的路上，他们必不会跌倒，因为我是以色列的父亲，以法莲是我的长子。

我引导他们的时候，他们必哭着而来，并且向我乞恩恳求。我要使他们走在溪水旁，行在平直的路上，他们必不会绊跌；因为我是以色列的父亲，以法莲是我的长子。

他們要哭泣而來。我要照他們懇求的引導他們，使他們在河水旁走正直的路，在其上不致絆跌；因為我是以色列的父，以法蓮是我的長子。

他們要哭泣而來。我要照他們懇求的引導他們，使他們在河水旁行走正直的路，他們在其上必不致絆跌；因為我是以色列的父，以法蓮是我的長子。

他們要哭泣而來。我要照他們懇求的引導他們，使他們在河水旁行走正直的路，他們在其上必不致絆跌；因為我是以色列的父，以法蓮是我的長子。

我必引領他們回來，他們必一路含淚禱告。我要使他們走在溪水邊，行在平坦的路上，他們必不會跌倒，因為我是以色列的父親，以法蓮是我的長子。

我引導他們的時候，他們必哭著而來，並且向我乞恩懇求。我要使他們走在溪水旁，行在平直的路上，他們必不會絆跌；因為我是以色列的父親，以法蓮是我的長子。

他們必哭哭啼啼而來，我必以安慰引導他們，使他們到流水之谿谷，在平坦的路上走，不至於在那上頭跌倒；因為我是以色列的父，以法蓮是我的長子。

彼將哭泣而來、為我所導、且禱且行、我使之經溪濱、循正直之途、而不顚躓、蓋我為以色列之父、以法蓮為我首生之子、○

彼為我所導、必哭泣禱告而來、我為以色列族之父、以法蓮人為余冢子、我使彼履道坦坦、行於溪畔、無虞顛趾。

彼為我所導、必哭泣禱告而來、我使之行於溪畔、履平直之途、其間不遇窒礙、其間不遇窒礙或作無人顛蹶其中我為以色列之父、以法蓮為我長子、

They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Tears of joy will stream down their faces, and I will lead them home with great care. They will walk beside quiet streams and on smooth paths where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s father, and Ephraim is my oldest child.

They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. I will lead them to wadis filled with water, by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

They will come with weeping, And by pleading I will bring them; I will lead them by streams of waters, On a straight path on which they will not stumble; For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.”

They shall come with weeping, And with supplications I will lead them. I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters, In a straight way in which they shall not stumble; For I am a Father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn.

They shall come with weeping; and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first- born.

They will come weeping, but I will bring them back with consolation. I will lead them to wadis filled with water by a smooth way where they will not stumble, for I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim[ is] my firstborn.

They will come back shedding tears of contrition. I will bring them back praying prayers of repentance. I will lead them besides streams of water, along smooth paths where they will never stumble. I will do this because I am Israel’s father; Ephraim is my firstborn son.’”

They will come with weeping. I will lead them with petitions. I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they won’t stumble; for I am a father to Israel. Ephraim is my firstborn.

You have just now called out to me. You said,‘ My Father, you have been my friend ever since I was young.

Then say to Pharaoh,‘ The Lord says,“ Israel is like an oldest son to me.

“ The days are coming,” announces the Lord.“ At that time the people of Israel and Judah will gather together. They will come in tears to me. I am the Lord their God.

He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters.

He led them through that deep sea. Like a horse in open country, they didn’t trip and fall.

Aren’t the people of Ephraim my dear children? Aren’t they the children I take delight in? I often speak against them. But I still remember them. So my heart longs for them. I love them with a tender love,” announces the Lord.

“ This is how you should pray.“‘ Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.

“ I myself said,“‘ I would gladly treat you like my children. I would give you a pleasant land. It is the most beautiful land any nation could have.’ I thought you would call me‘ Father.’ I hoped you would always obey me.

Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted.

“ I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on David’s family line. I will also send it on those who live in Jerusalem. They will look to me. I am the one they have pierced. They will mourn over me as someone mourns over an only child who has died. They will be full of sorrow over me. Their sorrow will be just like someone’s sorrow over an oldest son.

Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay. You are the potter. Your hands made all of us.

Those who can’t walk will leap like a deer. And those who can’t speak will shout for joy. Water will pour out in dry places. Streams will flow in the desert.The burning sand will become a pool of water. The thirsty ground will become bubbling springs. In the places where wild dogs once lay down, tall grass and papyrus will grow.A wide road will go through the land. It will be called the Way of Holiness. Only those who lead a holy life can use it.“ Unclean” and foolish people can’t walk on it.

And,“ I will be your Father. You will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord who rules over all.”( 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8)

At Peniel he struggled with the angel and won. Jacob wept and begged for his blessing. God also met with him at Bethel. He talked with him there.

Long ago the Lord opened a way for his people to go through the Red Sea. He made a path through the mighty waters.He caused Egypt to send out its chariots and horses. He sent its entire army to its death. Its soldiers lay down there. They never got up again. They were destroyed. They were blown out like a dimly burning flame. But the Lord says,“ Forget the things that happened in the past. Do not keep on thinking about them.I am about to do something new. It is beginning to happen even now. Don’t you see it coming? I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert. I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak. We don’t know what we should pray for. But the Spirit himself prays for us. He prays through groans too deep for words.

Now I am happy. I’m not happy because you were made sad. I’m happy because your sadness led you to turn away from your sins. You became sad just as God wanted you to. So you were not hurt in any way by us.Godly sadness causes us to turn away from our sins and be saved. And we are certainly not sorry about that! But worldly sadness brings death.Look at what that godly sadness has produced in you. You are working hard to clear yourselves. You are angry and alarmed. You are longing to see me. You are concerned. You are ready to make sure that the right thing is done. In every way you have proved that you are not guilty in that matter.

A messenger is calling out,“ In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The rough ground will be smoothed out. The rocky places will be made flat.

The Lamb, who is at the center of the area around the throne, will be their shepherd.‘ He will lead them to springs of living water.’( Isaiah 49:10)‘ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ ”( Isaiah 25:8)

John is the one Isaiah the prophet had spoken about. He had said,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3)

“ Make level paths for your feet to walk on.”( Proverbs 4:26) Then those who have trouble walking won’t be disabled. Instead, they will be healed.

“ Those who are poor and needy search for water. But there isn’t any. Their tongues are dry because they are thirsty. But I will help them. I am the Lord. I will not desert them. I am Israel’s God.I will make streams flow on the bare hilltops. I will make springs come up in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water. I will turn the dry and cracked ground into flowing springs.I will make trees grow in the desert. I will plant cedar and acacia trees there. I will plant myrtle and olive trees there. I will make juniper trees grow in the dry and empty desert. I will plant fir and cypress trees there.

A shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them. And I will look after my sheep. I will save them from all the places where they were scattered on a dark and cloudy day.I will bring them out from among the nations. I will gather them together from other countries. I will bring them into their own land. There they will eat grass on the mountains and in the valleys. And they will eat in all the fields of Israel.I will take care of them in the best grasslands. They will eat grass on the highest mountains of Israel. There they will lie down in the finest grasslands. They will eat grass in the best places on Israel’s mountains.

David praised the Lord in front of the whole community. He said,“ Lord, we give you praise. You are the God of our father Israel. We give you praise for ever and ever.

Blessed are you who are hungry now. You will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are sad now. You will laugh.

Here is what is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet. It says,“ A messenger is calling out in the desert,‘ Prepare the way for the Lord. Make straight paths for him.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The crooked roads will become straight. The rough ways will become smooth.And all people will see God’s salvation.’ ”( Isaiah 40:3–5)

You have come to the church of God’s people. God’s first and only Son is over all things. God’s people share in what belongs to his Son. Their names are written in heaven. You have come to God, who is the Judge of all people. You have come to the spirits of godly people who have been made perfect.

Is that how you thank the Lord? You aren’t wise. You are foolish. Remember, he’s your Father. He’s your Creator. He made you. He formed you.

Those who cry as they plant their crops will sing with joy when they gather them in.Those who go out weeping as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy. They will bring the new crop back with them.

“ Our God, hear my prayers. Pay attention to the appeals I make to you. Lord, have mercy on your temple that has been destroyed. Do it for your own honor.Our God, please listen to us. The city that belongs to you has been destroyed. Open your eyes and see it. We aren’t asking you to answer our prayers because we are godly. Instead, we’re asking you to do it because you love us so much.

Jesus prayed while he lived on earth. He made his appeal with sincere cries and tears. He prayed to the God who could save him from death. God answered Jesus because he truly honored God.

A messenger says,“ Build up the road! Build it up! Get it ready! Remove anything that would keep my people from coming back.”

You are our Father. Abraham might not accept us as his children. Jacob might not recognize us as his family. But you are our Father, Lord. Your name is One Who Always Sets Us Free.

I want you to say to the prisoners,‘ Come out.’ Tell those who are in their dark cells,‘ You are free!’“ On their way home they will eat beside the roads. They will find plenty to eat on every bare hill.They will not get hungry or thirsty. The heat from the desert sun will not beat down on them. The God who has tender love for them will guide them. Like a shepherd, he will lead them beside springs of water.I will make roads across the mountains. I will build wide roads for my people.