“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your ¹  God.

As a mother consoles a child, ¹  so I will console you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

The Preeminent One ¹  of Israel does not go back on his word ²  or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind.” ³ 

“I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters ¹  are you all!

So how can you console me with your futile words? Nothing is left of your answers but deception!” ¹ 

Raise me to a position of great honor! ¹  Turn and comfort me! ² 

He remembered his covenant with them, and relented ¹  because of his great loyal love.

I remember your ancient regulations, ¹  O Lord, and console myself. ² 

May your loyal love console me, as you promised your servant. ¹ 

My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. ¹  I say, ²  “When will you comfort me?”

All his sons and daughters stood by ¹  him to console him, but he refused to be consoled. “No,” he said, “I will go to the grave mourning my son.” ²  So Joseph’s ³  father wept for him.

Then the Lord relented over the evil that he had said he would do to his people.

Their father Ephraim mourned for them many days and his brothers came to console him.

If ¹  I say, ²  “My bed will comfort me, ³  my couch will ease ⁴  my complaint,”

Therefore I despise myself, ¹  and I repent in dust and ashes!

Turn back toward us, O Lord! How long must this suffering last? ¹  Have pity on your servants! ² 

For the Lord vindicates ¹  his people, and has compassion on his servants. ² 

The Lord decided not to do this. ¹  “It will not happen,” the Lord said.

The Lord regretted ¹  that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended. ² 

The Israelites regretted what had happened to ¹  their brother Benjamin. They said, “Today we cut off an entire ²  tribe from Israel!