Jeremiah 31:9

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

They shall come with weeping - for their past sins, which caused their exile (Psalms 124:5). Although they come with weeping, they shall return with joy (Jeremiah 50:4).

With supplications - (cf. Jeremiah 31:18; Jeremiah 3:21; ) [uwbªtachªnuwniym], margin translates 'favours,' as in ; ; thus God's favours or compassions are put in opposition to the people's weeping; their tears shall be turned into joy. But the English version suits the parallelism best.

I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way - (Isaiah 35:6; ; Isaiah 49:10). God will give them waters to satisfy their thirst, as in the wilderness-journey from Egypt. So spiritually (; John 7:37). Ephraim - the ten tribes no longer severed from Judah, but forming one people with it.

My first-born - (; ; , "To whom (the Israelites) pertaineth the adoption"). So the elect Church is spiritually begotten of God by adoption (; ).