New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Jeremiah 31

1 "At that time I will be the God of all of the tribes of Israel," announces the Lord. "And they will be my people." Reference

References God

Jeremiah 30:22 Isaiah 41:10 Zechariah 13:9

References Israel

Jeremiah 3:18

References Lord

Jeremiah 30:24

2 The Lord says, "Some of my people will live through everything their enemies do to them. They will find help in the desert. I will come to give peace and rest to Israel." Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 95:11 Matthew 11:28 Deuteronomy 1:33

References Lord

Numbers 10:33

3 The Lord appeared to us in the past. He said, "I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. I have kept on loving you with faithful love. Reference

Eternal Life

Psalm 103:17 Isaiah 45:17

Love

Hosea 11:4 Deuteronomy 33:3 1 John 4:19 Deuteronomy 10:15 Malachi 1:2

Parallel theme

2 Timothy 1:9 Romans 8:30

References Lord

1 Peter 1:3

4 I will build you up again. Nation of Israel, you will be rebuilt. Once again you will use your tambourines to celebrate. You will go out and dance with joy. Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 31:13 Acts 15:16 Psalm 149:3 Luke 15:23 Lamentations 2:13 2 Kings 19:21

References Israel

Jeremiah 33:7 Amos 5:2

5 Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. Farmers will plant them. They will enjoy their fruit. Reference

Parallel theme

Amos 9:14 Deuteronomy 28:30 Micah 4:4

6 There will be a day when those on guard duty will cry out. They will stand on the hills of Ephraim. And they will shout, 'Come! Let's go up to Zion. Let's go up to where the Lord our God is.' " Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 50:19

7 The Lord says, "Sing with joy because the people of Jacob are blessed. Shout because the Lord has made them the greatest nation. Make your praises heard. Say, 'Lord, save your people. Save the people who are left alive in Israel.' Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 37:31 Jeremiah 23:3

Salvation

Psalm 28:9 Psalm 14:7

8 I will bring them from the land of the north. I will gather them from one end of the earth to the other. Even those who are blind and those who can't walk will be among them. Pregnant women and women having their babies will be among them also. A large number will return. Reference

Parallel theme

Ezekiel 34:16 Isaiah 42:16 Jeremiah 23:8 Micah 4:6 Hebrews 12:12 Isaiah 40:11 Ezekiel 34:13 Isaiah 43:6 Isaiah 52:10 Jeremiah 3:18

9 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. Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 3:4 Matthew 5:4 Jeremiah 31:20 Isaiah 63:13 Psalm 23:2 Revelation 7:17 Isaiah 64:8 Jeremiah 3:19

References Israel

Exodus 4:22 Jeremiah 50:4

10 "Listen to my message, you nations. Announce it on shores far away. Say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather them. He will watch over his flock like a shepherd.' Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 40:11 Ezekiel 34:12 Isaiah 66:19 John 11:52 John 10:27 Zephaniah 3:19

References Lord

Deuteronomy 30:4

11 I will set the people of Jacob free. I will save them from those who are stronger than they are. Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 49:24 Psalm 142:6 Matthew 12:29

Redemption

Isaiah 48:20 Isaiah 44:23 Titus 2:14 Jeremiah 15:21 Matthew 20:28

12 They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion. They will be joyful because of everything I give them. I give them grain, olive oil and fresh wine. I give them the young animals in their flocks and herds. Israel will be like a garden that has plenty of water. And they will not be sad anymore. Reference

Good

Ezekiel 17:23

Parallel theme

Isaiah 65:19 John 16:22 Revelation 7:17 Revelation 21:4 Psalm 130:4

References Lord

Isaiah 35:10 Isaiah 58:11 Joel 3:18 Isaiah 60:20

13 Then young women will dance and be glad. And so will the men, young and old alike. I will turn their sobbing into gladness. I will comfort them. And I will give them joy instead of sorrow. Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 30:11 Isaiah 51:11 Isaiah 61:3 Jeremiah 31:4 Isaiah 51:3 Isaiah 35:10 Psalm 149:3 Nehemiah 12:27 Nehemiah 12:43 John 16:22

14 I will satisfy the priests. I will give them more than enough. And my people will be filled with the good things I give them," announces the Lord. Reference

Song of Solomon 5:1

Good

Jeremiah 33:9 Psalm 107:9 Psalm 65:4

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 31:25 Revelation 5:10 Ephesians 3:19 1 Peter 2:9

References Lord

Isaiah 61:6 Isaiah 25:6

15 The Lord says, "A voice is heard in Ramah. It is the sound of crying and deep sadness. Rachel is crying over her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are gone." Reference

Parallel theme

Genesis 35:19 Isaiah 22:4 Jeremiah 10:20 Genesis 37:35 Genesis 42:13 Genesis 42:36 Lamentations 5:7 Ezekiel 2:10

References Lord

Psalm 77:2 Jeremiah 40:1

16 The Lord says, "Do not sob anymore. Do not let tears fall from your eyes. I will reward you for your work," announces the Lord. "Your children will return from the land of the enemy. Reference

Parallel theme

Hebrews 6:10 Hebrews 11:6 2 Chronicles 15:7 Jeremiah 33:7 Isaiah 30:19 Ecclesiastes 9:7

References Lord

Ruth 2:12 Jeremiah 30:3 Jeremiah 30:18 Isaiah 25:8

17 So I am giving you hope for the years to come," announces the Lord. "Your children will return to their own land. Reference

Hope

Lamentations 3:21 Hosea 2:15 Lamentations 3:26 Lamentations 3:18

Parallel theme

Matthew 24:22 Ezekiel 37:25 Isaiah 6:13

References Lord

Hosea 3:5

18 "I have heard the groans of Ephraim's people. They say, 'You corrected us like a calf you were training. And we have been trained. Bring us back to you, and we will come back. You are the Lord our God. Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 31:9 Revelation 3:19 Luke 15:20

References God

Psalm 80:3 Job 5:17 Acts 3:26 Psalm 80:7

References Lord

Isaiah 9:13 Jeremiah 17:14 Lamentations 5:21

19 After we wandered away from you, we turned away from our sins. After we learned our lesson, we beat our chests in sorrow. We were full of shame. What we did when we were young brought dishonor on us.' Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 3:25 Ezekiel 36:31 Ezekiel 21:12 Luke 18:13 Deuteronomy 30:2 Psalm 25:7 Zechariah 12:10 Ezra 9:6

20 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. Reference

Grace

Isaiah 55:7

Parallel theme

Isaiah 63:15 Hosea 14:4 Isaiah 16:11 Jeremiah 48:36 Luke 15:24 Philippians 1:8

References Lord

Psalm 103:13 Judges 10:16

21 The Lord says, "Put up road signs. Set up stones to show the way. Look carefully for the highway. Look for the road you will take. Return, people of Israel. Return to your towns. Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 50:5 Isaiah 48:20

22 How long will you wander, you people who are not faithful to me? I will create a new thing on earth. A woman will guard a man." Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 49:4 Jeremiah 2:23 Jeremiah 2:36 Jeremiah 7:24 Jeremiah 2:18 Jeremiah 4:14 Genesis 3:15

References Lord

Isaiah 7:14 Jeremiah 3:22 Jeremiah 3:6

23 The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says, "I will bring them back from the place where they were taken. The people in Judah and its towns will say once again, 'Holy temple in Jerusalem, may the Lord bless you. Sacred mountain, may he bless you.' Reference

Holy

Zechariah 8:3

Righteousness

Isaiah 1:26 Jeremiah 50:7

24 "People will live together in Judah and all of its towns. Farmers and shepherds will live there. Reference

Parallel theme

Ezekiel 36:10

25 I will give rest to those who are tired. I will satisfy those who are weak." Reference

Parallel theme

Matthew 5:6 Matthew 11:28 John 4:14 Psalm 107:9 Jeremiah 31:14 Isaiah 50:4 Isaiah 32:2 2 Corinthians 7:6 Luke 1:53

26 When I heard that, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant.

27 The Lord announces, "The days are coming when I will plant the nation of Israel and Judah again. I will plant it with children and young animals. Reference

Parallel theme

Hosea 2:23 Ezekiel 36:9 Zechariah 10:9

References Lord

Ezekiel 36:11

28 "I watched over Israel and Judah to pull them up by the roots. I tore them down. I crushed them. I destroyed them. I brought horrible trouble on them. But now I will watch over them to build them up and plant them," announces the Lord. Reference

Parallel theme

Jeremiah 24:6 Jeremiah 1:10 Jeremiah 44:27 Acts 15:16 Jeremiah 32:41 Amos 9:11

References Lord

Jeremiah 45:4 Daniel 9:14

29 "In those days people will no longer say, 'The fathers have eaten sour grapes. But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.' Reference

Parallel theme

Lamentations 5:7 Jeremiah 31:30

30 Instead, everyone will die for his own sin. The one who eats sour grapes will taste how bitter they are. Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 3:11 Galatians 6:5

Sin

Ezekiel 18:20 Deuteronomy 24:16 Ezekiel 18:4 Ezekiel 33:18

31 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah. Reference

Covenant

Ezekiel 37:26 Jeremiah 32:40 2 Corinthians 3:6 Hebrews 12:24 Luke 22:20 Mark 14:24 1 Corinthians 11:25 Matthew 26:28 Hebrews 9:15

Parallel theme

Philippians 3:3

32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their people long ago. That was when I took them by the hand. I led them out of Egypt. But they broke my covenant. They did it even though I was like a husband to them," announces the Lord. Reference

Covenant

Exodus 19:5 Deuteronomy 5:3 Ezekiel 16:8 Leviticus 26:15

Parallel theme

John 3:29

References Lord

Deuteronomy 1:31 Jeremiah 3:14 Hosea 3:1

33 "This is the covenant I will make with Israel after that time," announces the Lord. "I will put my law in their minds. I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people. Reference

Covenant

Hebrews 10:16 Hebrews 8:10 Jeremiah 32:40

References God

2 Corinthians 3:3 Jeremiah 24:7 Ezekiel 37:27 Revelation 21:3 Jeremiah 32:38 Deuteronomy 30:6

Word

Psalm 40:8

34 A man will not need to teach his neighbor anymore. And he will not need to teach his friend anymore. He will not say, 'Know the Lord.' Everyone will know me. From the least important of them to the most important, all of them will know me," announces the Lord. "I will forgive their evil ways. I will not remember their sins anymore." Reference

Parallel theme

1 John 2:27 John 17:3 John 6:45

References Lord

Isaiah 54:13 Jeremiah 24:7

Sin

Isaiah 43:25 Hebrews 8:12 Jeremiah 33:8 Jeremiah 50:20 Micah 7:18

35 The Lord speaks. He makes the sun shine by day. He orders the moon and stars to shine at night. He stirs up the ocean. He makes its waves roar. His name is The Lord Who Rules Over All. Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 63:12

References Lord

Isaiah 51:15 Jeremiah 10:16 Jeremiah 32:18 Jeremiah 46:18 Jeremiah 50:34 Deuteronomy 4:19

36 "Suppose my orders for creation disappear from my sight," announces the Lord. "Only then will the people of Israel stop being a nation in my sight." Reference

Parallel theme

Psalm 148:6

37 The Lord says, "Suppose the sky above could be measured. Suppose the foundations of the earth below could be completely discovered. Only then would I turn the people of Israel away. Even though they have committed many sins, I will still accept them," announces the Lord. Reference

Parallel theme

Isaiah 40:12 Jeremiah 33:22

38 "A new day is coming," announces the Lord. "At that time Jerusalem will be rebuilt for me. It will be rebuilt from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. Reference

Parallel theme

Zechariah 14:10 2 Kings 14:13 2 Chronicles 26:9 Isaiah 44:28 Daniel 9:25

References Lord

Jeremiah 30:18 Jeremiah 31:27 Jeremiah 23:5

39 The measuring line will reach out from there. It will go straight to the hill of Gareb. Then it will turn and reach as far as Goah. 📍 Locations

📍 Gareb 📍 Goah

40 "There is a valley where dead bodies and ashes are thrown. That whole valley will be holy to me. The side of the Kidron Valley east of the city will be holy to me. It will be holy all the way to the corner of the Horse Gate. The city will never again be pulled up by the roots. It will never be destroyed." Reference

Holy

Joel 3:17 Zechariah 14:20

Parallel theme

2 Samuel 15:23 John 18:1 2 Kings 11:16 2 Chronicles 23:15 Nehemiah 3:28

References Lord

2 Kings 23:6 2 Kings 23:12

Summary of Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31 is one of the most hopeful chapters in the book, moving decisively from the devastation of exile toward a vision of restored Israel, renewed Jerusalem, transformed hearts, forgiveness, and a new covenant relationship with God. After many chapters describing judgment, war, exile, and national collapse, Jeremiah presents a future in which God gathers His scattered people and restores both their land and their relationship with Him.

The chapter begins with God's declaration that He will once again be the God of all the families of Israel, which is important because the people had been divided into northern Israel and southern Judah for generations. The restoration described here reaches beyond Judah alone and points toward a reunification of God's scattered people.

The imagery is joyful and abundant: vineyards will be planted, families will grow, farmers will cultivate the land, people will sing, and communities will again gather for worship. Even those who are vulnerable—the blind, the lame, pregnant women, and mothers—will be included in the return, emphasizing that God's restoration is not reserved for the strongest or most powerful.

The image of Rachel weeping for her children captures the enormous grief caused by exile and death, but God tells Rachel that there is hope because her children will return. The chapter therefore allows grief and hope to stand together: the suffering is real, but it does not have the final word.

One of the most moving sections concerns Ephraim, representing the northern kingdom of Israel. Ephraim recognizes his wrongdoing and asks God to restore him, while God responds with deep compassion, describing him as a precious son. This reveals that God's desire is not simply to punish sinners but ultimately to bring them to repentance and restore them.

The chapter then reaches its theological center with the promise of a new covenant. God explains that the earlier covenant was broken by His people, but He promises something different: His law will be written within their minds and hearts, and they will know Him personally. The restoration therefore goes much deeper than rebuilding cities or returning from exile.

The new covenant involves inner transformation, personal knowledge of God, and complete forgiveness. Instead of relying only on external commands and religious structures, God's people will have His instruction written within them, producing a relationship characterized by genuine inward faithfulness.

Jeremiah also emphasizes individual responsibility, rejecting the idea that people should simply blame their parents for their condition. Each person will be accountable for his or her own wrongdoing, while God's forgiveness will provide a new beginning for those who turn toward Him.

The final portion returns to Jerusalem itself. The city that was destined for destruction will be rebuilt, and even places associated with death and judgment will become holy. The promise that Jerusalem will never again be uprooted expresses the ultimate certainty of God's restoration, reaching beyond the limited rebuilding that occurred immediately after the Babylonian exile.

The central message is that God's judgment does not cancel His covenant love, because the same God who allows His people to experience discipline promises to gather them from exile, restore their land, heal their sorrow, reunite divided communities, renew Jerusalem, forgive their sins, and establish a new covenant in which His law is written within their hearts; Jeremiah 31 therefore moves from the grief of Rachel's mourning to the joy of restoration and from the failure of the old covenant to the promise of a transformed relationship with God, presenting hope not merely as a return to the past but as a deeper renewal in which God's people will know Him personally, experience forgiveness, and live as a restored community under His enduring care.