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 124:5-6). Although they come with weeping, they shall return with joy (Jeremiah 50:4-5).
With supplications - (cf. Jeremiah 31:18-19; Jeremiah 3:21-25; Zechariah 12:10) [uwbªtachªnuwniym], margin translates 'favours,' as in Joshua 11:20; Ezra 9:8; 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 35:6-8; Isaiah 43:19; Isaiah 49:10-11). God will give them waters to satisfy their thirst, as in the wilderness-journey from Egypt. So spiritually (Matthew 5:6; John 7:37-38). Ephraim - the ten tribes no longer severed from Judah, but forming one people with it.
My first-born - (Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1; Romans 9:4, "To whom (the Israelites) pertaineth the adoption"). So the elect Church is spiritually begotten of God by adoption (2 Corinthians 6:18; James 1:18).