This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord . “They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,” declares the Lord . “Your children will return to their own land. (Jeremiah 31:16, 17 NIV) Matthew Henry “The restoration of your children:They shall come again from the land of the enemy (v. 16); they shall come again to their own border (land)” (v. 17). There is hope that children who are far away may be brought home. Jacob had a comforting meeting with Joseph after he had despaired of ever seeing him again (Ge 46:29 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” (Nehemiah 4:14 NIV)