3 For behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.' The Lord says, 'I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall possess it.'"
4 Now these are the words which the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah:
5 "For thus says the Lord, 'I have heard a sound of terror, Of dread, and there is no peace.
6 'Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?
7 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it.
8 'It shall come about on that day,' declares the Lord of hosts, 'that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves.
9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.