3 Do this because the days will come”—this message is from the Lord—“when I will bring my people, Israel and Judah, back from exile.” This message is from the Lord. “I will put the people back in the land that I gave to their ancestors. Then my people will own that land again.”
4 The Lord spoke this message about the people of Israel and Judah.
5 This is what the Lord said: “We hear people crying from fear. There is fear, not peace.
6 “Ask this question and consider it: Can a man have a baby? Of course not! Then why do I see every strong man holding his stomach like a woman having labor pains? Why is everyone’s face turning white like a dead man?
7 “This is a very important time for Jacob. This is a time of great trouble. There will never be another time like this, but Jacob will be saved.
8 “At that time,” says the Lord All-Powerful, “I will break the yoke from the necks of the people of Israel and Judah, and I will break the ropes holding you. People from foreign countries will never again force my people to be slaves.
9 The people of Israel and Judah will not serve foreign countries. No, they will serve the Lord their God. I will send them David their king, and they will serve him.