5 You people who obey the words of the Lord,listen to what he says:“Your brothers hated you.They turned against you because you followed me.Your brothers said, ‘When the Lord is honored,we will come back and rejoice with you.’But they will be punished.
6 Listen to the loud noise coming from the city.Hear the noise from the Temple.It is the Lord punishing his enemies.He is giving them the punishment they should have.
7 “A woman does not give birth before she feels the pain.She does not give birth to a son before she feels the pain of birth.
8 No one has ever heard of that happening.No one has ever seen that happen.In the same way no one ever saw a country begin in one day.No one has ever heard of a new nation beginning in one day.But Jerusalem will give birth to her childrenjust as soon as she feels the birth pains.
9 In the same way I will not cause painwithout allowing something new to be born,” says the Lord.“If I cause you the pain,I will not stop you from giving birth to your new nation,” says your God.
10 “Jerusalem, rejoice.All you people who love Jerusalem, be happy.Those of you who felt sad for Jerusalemshould now feel happy with her.
11 You will enjoy her good things and be satisfiedas a child is nursed by its mother.You will receive her good thingsand enjoy her wealth.”