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.
11 I will come to you and save you.I will destroy all the nationswhere I have scattered you,but I will not destroy you.I will not let you go unpunished;but when I punish you, I will be fair.I, the Lord, have spoken.”