1 The lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said,
2 “This is what the lord, the God of Israel, says: Write down for the record everything I have said to you, Jeremiah.
3 For the time is coming when I will restore the fortunes of my people of Israel and Judah. I will bring them home to this land that I gave to their ancestors, and they will possess it again. I, the lord, have spoken!”
4 This is the message the lord gave concerning Israel and Judah.
5 This is what the lord says:“I hear cries of fear;there is terror and no peace.
6 Now let me ask you a question:Do men give birth to babies?Then why do they stand there, ashen-faced,hands pressed against their sideslike a woman in labor?