16 They will ask me to bless their land. They will do it in my name. I am the God of truth. They will take oaths and make promises in their land. They will do it in my name. I am the God of truth. The troubles of the past will be forgotten. They will be hidden from my eyes.
17 "I will create new heavens and a new earth. The things that have happened before will not be remembered. They will not even enter your minds.
18 So be glad and full of joy forever because of what I will create. I will cause others to take delight in Jerusalem. They will be filled with joy when they see its people.
19 And I will be full of joy because of Jerusalem. I will take delight in my people. Sobbing and crying will not be heard there anymore.
20 "Babies in Jerusalem will no longer live only a few days. Old people will not fail to live for a very long time. Those who live to the age of 100 will be thought of as still being young when they die. Those who die before they are 100 will be considered as having been under God's curse.
21 My people will build houses and live in them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They will no longer build houses only to have others live in them. They will no longer plant crops only to have others eat them. My people will live to be as old as trees. My chosen ones will enjoy for a long time the things they have worked for.