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.”
12 But they don't knowthat I, the Lord,have gathered them hereto grind them like grain.