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.
27 Be brave and cry out to God for help. He has not forgotten you, even though he has done all these things to punish you.
28 Just as you were determined to turn away from God in the past, you should be ten times more determined to obey him now.
29 The same God who punished you with these disasters will save you and give you never-ending happiness.