My people will return weeping, praying as I lead them back. I will guide them to streams of water, on a smooth road where they will not stumble. I am like a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my oldest son."

The LORD says, "Israel, I wanted to accept you as my child and give you a delightful land, the most beautiful land in all the world. I wanted you to call me father and never again turn away from me.

As a father is kind to his children, so the LORD is kind to those who honor him.

The LORD corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.

For this son of mine was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' And so the feasting began.

But we had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother was dead, but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found.' "

The LORD will rescue his people when he sees that their strength is gone. He will have mercy on those who serve him, when he sees how helpless they are.

So they got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the LORD; and he became troubled over Israel's distress.

I gave my people life, and I will not continue to accuse them or be angry with them forever.

"I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn.

The Lord is merciful and will not reject us forever.

He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.

"How can I give you up, Israel? How can I abandon you? Could I ever destroy you as I did Admah, or treat you as I did Zeboiim? My heart will not let me do it! My love for you is too strong.

I will not punish you in my anger; I will not destroy Israel again. For I am God and not a mere human being. I, the Holy One, am with you. I will not come to you in anger.

Then Joseph left suddenly, because his heart was full of tender feelings for his brother. He was about to break down, so he went to his room and cried.

The real mother, her heart full of love for her son, said to the king, "Please, Your Majesty, don't kill the child! Give it to her!" But the other woman said, "Don't give it to either of us; go on and cut it in two."

My lover put his hand to the door, and I was thrilled that he was near.

God is my witness that I tell the truth when I say that my deep feeling for you all comes from the heart of Christ Jesus himself.

"So my heart mourns for Moab and for the people of Kir Heres, like someone playing a funeral song on a flute, because everything they owned is gone.

I groan with sadness for Moab, with grief for Kir Heres.

LORD, look upon us from heaven, where you live in your holiness and glory. Where is your great concern for us? Where is your power? Where are your love and compassion? Do not ignore us.

Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

"I have seen how they acted, but I will heal them. I will lead them and help them, and I will comfort those who mourn.

The LORD says, "I will bring my people back to me. I will love them with all my heart; no longer am I angry with them.

There is no other god like you, O LORD; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.

You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea!