Jeremiah 31:20 “Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I ofte…”

Jeremiah 31:20

Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD.

World English Bible

Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he a darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I still earnestly remember him. Therefore my heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him,” says the LORD.

American Standard Version

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a darling child? for as often as I speak against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my heart yearneth for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

Geneva Bible 1599

Is Ephraim my deare sonne or pleasant childe? yet since I spake vnto him, I still remembred him: therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I wil surely haue compassion vpon him, saith the Lord.

Darby Translation

Is Ephraim a dear son unto me? is he a child of delights? For whilst I have been speaking against him, I do constantly remember him still. Therefore my bowels are troubled for him: I will certainly have mercy upon him, saith Jehovah.

Young's Literal Translation

A precious son is Ephraim to Me? A child of delights? For since My speaking against him, I do thoroughly remember him still, Therefore have My bowels been moved for him, I do greatly love him, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English

Is Ephraim my dear son? is he the child of my delight? for whenever I say things against him, I still keep him in my memory: so my heart is troubled for him; I will certainly have mercy on him, says the Lord.

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Cross references

“Is Ephraim”

Psalm 103:13 Luke 15:24 Jeremiah 31:9 Jeremiah 3:19 Proverbs 3:12 Luke 15:32

Psalm 103:13 · BSB

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Luke 15:24 · BSB

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

Jeremiah 31:9 · BSB

They will come with weeping, and by their supplication I will lead them; I will make them walk beside streams of waters, on a level path where they will not stumble. For I am Israel’s Father, and Ephraim is My firstborn.…

Jeremiah 3:19 · BSB

Then I said, ‘How I long to make you My sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of all the nations!’ I thought you would call Me ‘Father’ and never turn away from following Me.

Proverbs 3:12 · BSB

for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Luke 15:32 · BSB

But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

“for”

Judges 10:16 Isaiah 57:16–18 Deuteronomy 32:36 Lamentations 3:31 Lamentations 3:32 Hosea 11:8

Judges 10:16 · BSB

So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel.

Isaiah 57:16–18 · BSB

For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me— the breath of life I have made.

Deuteronomy 32:36 · BSB

For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.

Lamentations 3:31 · BSB

For the Lord will not cast us off forever.

Lamentations 3:32 · BSB

Even if He causes grief, He will show compassion according to His abundant loving devotion.

Hosea 11:8 · BSB

How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred!

“my bowels”

Philippians 1:8 Genesis 43:30 1 Kings 3:26 Song of Solomon 5:4

Philippians 1:8 · BSB

God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Genesis 43:30 · BSB

Joseph hurried out because he was moved to tears for his brother, and he went to a private room to weep.

1 Kings 3:26 · BSB

Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neithe…

Song of Solomon 5:4 · BSB

My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him.

“are troubled”

Isaiah 63:15 Jeremiah 48:36 Isaiah 16:11

Isaiah 63:15 · BSB

Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.

Jeremiah 48:36 · BSB

Therefore My heart laments like a flute for Moab; it laments like a flute for the men of Kir-heres, because the wealth they acquired has perished.

Isaiah 16:11 · BSB

Therefore my heart laments for Moab like a harp, my inmost being for Kir-heres.

“I will”

Isaiah 55:7 Hosea 14:4 Isaiah 57:18 Micah 7:18 Micah 7:19

Isaiah 55:7 · BSB

Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Hosea 14:4 · BSB

I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them.

Isaiah 57:18 · BSB

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,

Micah 7:18 · BSB

Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance— who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

Micah 7:19 · BSB

He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’

21“Set up the road markers, put up the signposts. Keep the highway in mind, the road you have traveled. Return, O Virgin Israel, return to these cities of yours.

Read Jeremiah 31