Jeremiah 31:13
New International Version
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

New Living Translation
The young women will dance for joy, and the men—old and young—will join in the celebration. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.

English Standard Version
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

King James Bible
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

New King James Version
“Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together; For I will turn their mourning to joy, Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.

New American Standard Bible
“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old together; For I will turn their mourning into joy And comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow.

NASB 1995
“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow.

NASB 1977
“Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy, And will comfort them, and give them joy for their sorrow.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the virgin will be glad in the dance, And the young men and the old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and give them gladness for their sorrow.

Amplified Bible
“Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, And the young men and old, together, For I will turn their mourning into joy And will comfort them and make them rejoice after their sorrow.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the young women will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the young woman will rejoice with dancing, while young and old men rejoice together. I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief.

American Standard Version
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Contemporary English Version
Young women and young men, together with the elderly, will celebrate and dance, because I will comfort them and turn their sorrow into happiness.

English Revised Version
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will give them joy in place of their sorrow.

Good News Translation
Then the young women will dance and be happy, and men, young and old, will rejoice. I will comfort them and turn their mourning into joy, their sorrow into gladness.

International Standard Version
The virgins will rejoice with dancing, together with young men and old men. For I'll turn their mourning into joy, and I'll comfort them and give them gladness instead of sorrow.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow.

NET Bible
The LORD says, "At that time young women will dance and be glad. Young men and old men will rejoice. I will turn their grief into gladness. I will give them comfort and joy in place of their sorrow.

New Heart English Bible
"Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

World English Bible
Then the virgin will rejoice in the dance, the young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Then a virgin rejoices in a chorus, "" Both young men and old men—together, "" And I have turned their mourning to joy, "" And have comforted them, "" And gladdened them above their sorrow,

Young's Literal Translation
Then rejoice doth a virgin in a chorus, Both young men and old men -- together, And I have turned their mourning to joy, And have comforted them, And gladdened them above their sorrow,

Smith's Literal Translation
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and old men together: and I turned their mourning to joy, and I comforted them and caused them to rejoice from their sorrow.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, the young men and old men together: and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them joyful after their sorrow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the virgin will rejoice with singing, the young and the old together, and I will turn their mourning into gladness, and I will console them and gladden them after their sorrow.

New American Bible
Then young women shall make merry and dance, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will show them compassion and have them rejoice after their sorrows.

New Revised Standard Version
Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then shall the virgin rejoice and be glad, both young men and the old together; for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But the virgin shall rejoice in joy, and boys and the old men shall rejoice as one, and I shall turn their mourning to joy, and I shall comfort them, and I shall make them rejoice out of their misery
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, And the young men and the old together; For I will turn their mourning into joy, And will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then shall the virgins rejoice in the assembly of youth, and the old men shall rejoice; and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will make them merry.
Audio Bible



Context
Mourning Turned to Joy
12They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish. 13Then the maidens will rejoice with dancing, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into joy, and give them comfort and joy for their sorrow. 14I will fill the souls of the priests abundantly, and will fill My people with My goodness,” declares the LORD.…

Cross References
Isaiah 35:10
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Isaiah 51:11
So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.

Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Isaiah 61:3
to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Psalm 30:11
You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

Zechariah 8:19
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.”

John 16:20
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Isaiah 65:19
I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her.

Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.

Luke 6:21
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Isaiah 66:13
As a mother comforts her son, so will I comfort you, and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, / who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.


Treasury of Scripture

Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

shall.

Jeremiah 31:4
Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.

Nehemiah 12:27,43
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps…

Psalm 30:11
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;

for.

Ezra 6:22
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Esther 9:22
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

Isaiah 35:10
And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Jump to Previous
Chorus Comfort Comforted Dance Glad Gladdened Gladness Instead Joy Maidens Merry Mourning Rejoice Sorrow Together Turn Turned Virgin Weeping Young
Jump to Next
Chorus Comfort Comforted Dance Glad Gladdened Gladness Instead Joy Maidens Merry Mourning Rejoice Sorrow Together Turn Turned Virgin Weeping Young
Jeremiah 31
1. The restoration of Israel.
10. The publication thereof.
15. Rahel mourning is comforted.
18. Ephraim repenting is brought home again.
22. Christ is promised.
27. His care over the church.
31. His new covenant.
35. The stability,
38. and amplitude of the church.














Then the maidens will rejoice in the dance
This phrase speaks to a time of celebration and joy. The Hebrew word for "maidens" (בְּתוּלוֹת, betulot) refers to young women, often unmarried, symbolizing purity and new beginnings. In ancient Israel, dance was a common expression of joy and communal celebration, often associated with religious festivals and victories. The imagery of maidens dancing suggests a restoration of innocence and happiness, a return to a state of peace and prosperity after a period of hardship.

young men and old as well
This phrase emphasizes inclusivity in the joy and celebration. The Hebrew words for "young men" (בַּחוּרִים, bachurim) and "old" (זְקֵנִים, zekenim) indicate a gathering of all generations. This unity across age groups highlights the comprehensive nature of God's restoration. In the historical context, such unity would have been significant, as it suggests a healing of societal divisions and a return to communal harmony.

I will turn their mourning into joy
Here, the transformation from mourning to joy is a powerful promise of divine intervention. The Hebrew root for "mourning" (אֵבֶל, ebel) often refers to deep sorrow, typically associated with death or disaster. The promise to "turn" (הָפַךְ, haphak) this mourning into joy (שִׂמְחָה, simchah) signifies a complete reversal of circumstances, a theme prevalent in prophetic literature where God restores and redeems His people.

give them comfort and joy for their sorrow
This phrase further elaborates on the transformation process. The Hebrew word for "comfort" (נִחַם, nicham) implies consolation and relief, often used in contexts where God reassures His people. The dual promise of "comfort and joy" underscores the depth of God's compassion and the completeness of His restoration. The word "sorrow" (יָגוֹן, yagon) captures the emotional pain and distress that God promises to alleviate, replacing it with a profound sense of well-being and happiness.

Verse 13. - Young and old, men and women, shall give themselves up to joy and merriment, the centre of the mirth being the maidens with the timbrels (ver. 4). Both young men and old together; rather, and young men and old (shall rejoice) together.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then
אָ֣ז (’āz)
Adverb
Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore

the maidens
בְּתוּלָה֙ (bə·ṯū·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride

will rejoice
תִּשְׂמַ֤ח (tiś·maḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

with dancing,
בְּמָח֔וֹל (bə·mā·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4234: A, dance

young men
וּבַחֻרִ֥ים (ū·ḇa·ḥu·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 970: Selected, a youth

and old
וּזְקֵנִ֖ים (ū·zə·qê·nîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205: Old

as well.
יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

I will turn
וְהָפַכְתִּ֨י (wə·hā·p̄aḵ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

their mourning
אֶבְלָ֤ם (’eḇ·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 60: Lamentation

into joy,
לְשָׂשׂוֹן֙ (lə·śā·śō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8342: Cheerfulness, welcome

and give them comfort
וְנִ֣חַמְתִּ֔ים (wə·ni·ḥam·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

and joy
וְשִׂמַּחְתִּ֖ים (wə·śim·maḥ·tîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

for their sorrow.
מִיגוֹנָֽם׃ (mî·ḡō·w·nām)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3015: Grief, sorrow


Links
Jeremiah 31:13 NIV
Jeremiah 31:13 NLT
Jeremiah 31:13 ESV
Jeremiah 31:13 NASB
Jeremiah 31:13 KJV

Jeremiah 31:13 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 31:13 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 31:13 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 31:13 French Bible
Jeremiah 31:13 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 31:13 Then shall the virgin rejoice (Jer.)
Jeremiah 31:12
Top of Page
Top of Page