1 A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
2 "I am the Lord. I am the God of Israel. I say, 'Write on a scroll all of the words I have spoken to you.
3 A new day is coming,' " announces the Lord. " 'At that time I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from where they have been taken as prisoners. I will bring them back to this land. Long ago I gave it to their people to have as their own,' " says the Lord.
4 Here are the words the Lord spoke about Israel and Judah. He said,
5 "I am the Lord. I say, " 'Cries of fear are heard. There is terror. There isn't any peace.
6 Ask and see. Can a man give birth to children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach? Each of them is acting like a woman having a baby. Every face is as pale as death.
7 How awful that day will be! No other day will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for the people of Jacob. But they will be saved out of it.