A reading from the book of Jeremiah.

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court

of the guard.

Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it, to establish it.

The Lord is his name.

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not

known.

For thus, says the Lord, the God of Israel concerning the houses of this city and the houses

of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against

the sword. They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans, and to fill them with the dead bodies

of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath,

for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil.

Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them

abundance of prosperity and security.

I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.

I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.

And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth,

who shall hear of all the good that I do for them.

They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it. Thus says the Lord, in this place of which you say, it is a waste without man or beast, in the cities of Judah, and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again, the voice of mirth and the

voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those

who sing as they bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord of hosts, for the Lord is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,

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