4 The Lord says to the people of Israel and Judah:
5 “I heard a cry of terror,a cry of fear and not of peace.
6 Now stop and think!Can a man give birth to a child?Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomachlike a woman in labour?Why is everyone so pale?
7 A terrible day is coming;no other day can compare with it —a time of distress for my people,but they will survive.”
8 The Lord Almighty says: “When that day comes, I will break the yoke that is round their necks and remove their chains, and they will no longer be the slaves of foreigners.
9 Instead, they will serve me, the Lord their God, and a descendant of David, whom I will enthrone as king.
10 “My people, do not be afraid;people of Israel, do not be terrified.I will rescue you from that distant land,from the land where you are prisoners.You will come back home and live in peace;you will be secure, and no one will make you afraid.