3 The days will come when I will bring Israel and Judah back from captivity,” says the Lord. “I will return them to the land I gave their ancestors, and they will own it!” says the Lord.
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.They are afraid; there is no peace.
6 Ask this question, and consider it:A man cannot have a baby.So why do I see every strong manholding his stomach in pain like a woman having a baby?Why is everyone’s face turning white like a dead man’s face?
7 This will be a terrible day!There will never be another time like this.This is a time of great trouble for the people of Jacob,but they will be saved from it.”
8 The Lord All-Powerful says, “At that timeI will break the yoke from their necksand tear off the ropes that hold them.Foreign people will never again make my people slaves.
9 They will serve the Lord their Godand David their king,whom I will send to them.