First Reading

At that time, says the Lord,

I will be the God of all the tribes of Israel,

and they shall be my people.

Thus says the Lord:

The people that escaped the sword

have found favor in the desert.

As Israel comes forward to be given his rest,

the Lord appears to him from afar:

With age-old love I have loved you;

so I have kept my mercy toward you.

Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt,

O virgin Israel;

Carrying your festive tambourines,

you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers.

Again you shall plant vineyards

on the mountains of Samaria;

those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits.

Yes, a day will come when the watchmen

will call out on Mount Ephraim:

“Rise up, let us go to Zion,

to the Lord, our God.”

For thus says the Lord:

Shout with joy for Jacob,

exult at the head of the nations;

proclaim your praise and say:

The Lord has delivered his people,

the remnant of Israel.