4These are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah: 5”We have heard a voice of trembling - of fear, and not of peace. 6Ask and see: can a man bear children? Why then do I see each strong man with his hands on his stomach, like a woman in labor, and their faces turned pale? 7How awful will that day be – like no other! It is the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be rescued from it. 8In that day”, says the LORD of hosts, “I will break his (the foreigner’s) yoke from your neck, and snap their chains; and foreigners shall no more enslave them, 9Instead, My people shall serve the LORD, their God, and David, their king, whom I will raise up for them. 10So do not fear, O My servant, Jacob”, says the LORD; “nor be dismayed, O Israel; for, lo, I will rescue you and your descendants from distant lands, the land of your captivity; and Jacob shall return to a life of peace, rest, and security; and none shall make him afraid. 11For I am with you”, says the LORD, “to save you; though I completely destroy all the nations among which I have scattered you, yet I will not completely destroy you, but I will correct you with measured discipline, and not leave you altogether unpunished.”

12For thus says the LORD, “Your wound is incurable – a grievous injury. 13There is no one to plead your cause, or to treat you with healing medicines. 14All your friends – your allies - have forgotten you; they no longer care about you. I have wounded you as an enemy would, like the punishment from a fierce foe; because your sins and guilt have increased. 15Why do you protest your punishment? There is no relief for your pain because your sins are many; as you increased your guilt, I have had to do these things to you. 16But all those that assail you shall be assaulted; and all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and those that plundered you shall be plundered, and all that prey on you will I be preyed upon. 17But I will restore your health, and heal your wounds”, says the LORD, “because they called you an outcast, saying, ‘This is Zion, that no one desires.’”

18Thus says the LORD, “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents from the captivity, and will have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be rebuilt upon its own ruins, and the palace shall stand in its proper place. 19And out of them shall come shouts and songs of thanksgiving and of those who rejoice; and I will increase their numbers - they shall not be few; I will also bring them honor, and not contempt. 20Their children shall also be as they were before, and their nation shall be established before Me, and I will punish any that oppresses them. 21And their leader shall be one of their own, and their Ruler shall arise from among them; and I will draw Him near, and He shall come close to Me; for who is He that set His heart to be close to Me? says the LORD. 22And you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 23Behold, the whirlwind of the LORD goes forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind; it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. 24The fierce anger of the LORD shall not turn back until He has fully accomplished the intents of His heart. In the days to come, you shall understand all this.”