14 The people of Zion said,“The Lord has turned awayand forgotten us.”
15 The Lord answered,“Could a mother forget a childwho nurses at her breast?Could she fail to love an infantwho came from her own body?Even if a mother could forget,I will never forget you.
16 A picture of your cityis drawn on my hand.You are always in my thoughts!
17 “Your city will be built fasterthan it was destroyed—those who attacked itwill retreat and leave.
18 Look around! You will seeyour people coming home.As surely as I live,I, the Lord, promisethat your city with its peoplewill be as lovely as a bridewearing her jewellery.”
19 Jerusalem is now in ruins!Nothing is left of the city.But it will be rebuiltand soon overcrowded;its cruel enemieswill be gone far away.
20 Jerusalem is a womanwhose children were bornwhile she was in deep sorrowover the loss of her husband.Now those childrenwill come and seek roomin the crowded city,