6 Ask and see:Can men bear children?Then why do I see every manbent over in pain, as if he’s in labor?Why have all turned pale?
7 That day is awful, beyond words.A time of unspeakable painfor my people Jacob.But they will be delivered from it.
8 At that time, I will break the yoke off their necks and remove their shackles. Foreigners will no longer enslave them, declares the Lord of heavenly forces.
9 They will serve the Lord their God and the king whom I will raise up for them from David’s family.
10 So don’t be afraid, my servant Jacob,declares the Lord, Don’t lose hope, Israel.I will deliver you from faraway placesand your children from the land of their exile.My people Jacob will again be safe and sound,with no one harassing them.
11 I am with you and will rescue you,declares the Lord.I will put an end to all the nationswhere I have scattered you.But I won’t put an end to you.I won’t let you remain unpunished:I will discipline you as you deserve.
12 This is what the Lord says:Your injury is incurable;your illness is grave.