20 I have taken off the clothes I wore during my time of peace, and I have put on the clothes that show I am in mourning. I will cry out to the eternal God until the day I die.
21 Be brave, my children, and beg God to help you! He is the one who will rescue you from your powerful enemy.
22 I know without a doubt that the Holy and eternal God will save you. In fact, it makes me happy to think that he will soon show you mercy.
23 I cried and moaned as I watched you leave, but God will bring you back to me, and I will celebrate and shout forever.
24 The neighboring cities also watched while you were taken captive. And soon they will see your eternal God save you with his mighty and glorious power.
25 For now, my children, be patient. God has punished you in anger, and your enemies rule over you. Yet soon they will be destroyed, and you will have power over them.
26 My dear children, you are suffering now in a foreign nation, like sheep that have been dragged off by an enemy.