5 Others may follow their gods,but we will always followthe Lord our God.
6 The Lord said:At that timeI will gather my people—the lame and the outcasts,and all into whose livesI have brought sorrow.
7 Then the lame and the outcastswill belong to my peopleand become a strong nation.I, the Lord, will rule themfrom Mount Zion for ever.
8 Mount Zion in Jerusalem,guardian of my people,you will rule again.
9 Jerusalem, why are you crying?Don't you have a king?Have your advisers gone?Are you sufferinglike a woman in childbirth?
10 Keep on groaning with pain,you people of Jerusalem!If you escape from your cityto the countryside,you will still be takenas prisoners to Babylonia.But later I will rescue youfrom your enemies.
11 Zion, because of your sinsyou are surroundedby many nations who say,“We can hardly waitto see you disgraced.”