18 “This is what the Lord says:I’m going to bring the captives back to Jacob’s tentsand show compassion on their homes.Cities will be built on the ruins,and fortified palaces will be built in their rightful place.
19 The people who live there will sing songs of praise,and the sound of laughter will be heard from there.I’ll make them numerous, and their number won’t decrease.I’ll bring them honor, and they won’t be considered unimportant.
20 Their children will be like they were long ago.Their community will be established in my presence,and I will punish everyone who oppresses them.
21 Their leader will be someone from their own people.Their ruler will come from among them.I’ll bring him near, and he will come close to me.Who would dare to come near me?” asks the Lord.
22 You will be my people, and I will be your God.
23 The storm of the Lord will come with his anger.Like a driving wind, it will swirl down on the heads of the wicked.
24 The Lord’s burning anger will not turn backuntil he has done everything he intends to do.In the last days you will understand this clearly.