5 The streets of the cityShall be full of boys and girlsPlaying in its streets.’
6 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:‘If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days,Will it also be marvelous in My eyes?’Says the Lord of hosts.
7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:‘Behold, I will save My people from the land of the eastAnd from the land of the west;
8 I will bring them back,And they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.They shall be My peopleAnd I will be their God,In truth and righteousness.’
9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:‘Let your hands be strong,You who have been hearing in these daysThese words by the mouth of the prophets,Who spoke in the day the foundation was laidFor the house of the Lord of hosts,That the temple might be built.
10 For before these daysThere were no wages for man nor any hire for beast;There was no peace from the enemy for whoever went out or came in;For I set all men, everyone, against his neighbor.
11 But now I will not treat the remnant of this people as in the former days,’ says the Lord of hosts.