3for look, the days are coming"--this is the LORD's declaration--"when I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel and Judah," says the LORD. "I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it."
6Ask and see whether a male can give birth. Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?
8On that day--this is the declaration of the LORD of Armies--I will break his yoke from your neck and tear off your chains, and strangers will never again enslave him.
10As for you, my servant Jacob, do not be afraid--this is the LORD's declaration--and do not be discouraged, Israel, for without fail I will save you out of a distant place, your descendants, from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return and have calm and quiet with no one to frighten him.
11For I will be with you--this is the LORD's declaration--to save you! I will bring destruction on all the nations where I have scattered you; however, I will not bring destruction on you. I will discipline you justly, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.
14All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer look for you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your enormous guilt and your innumerable sins.
15Why do you cry out about your injury? Your pain has no cure! I have done these things to you because of your enormous guilt and your innumerable sins.
16Nevertheless, all who devoured you will be devoured, and all your adversaries--all of them--will go off into exile. Those who plunder you will be plundered, and all who raid you will be raided.
17But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds--this is the LORD's declaration--for they call you Outcast, Zion whom no one cares about.
18This is what the LORD says: I will certainly restore the fortunes of Jacob's tents and show compassion on his dwellings. Every city will be rebuilt on its mound; every citadel will stand on its proper site.
19Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of rejoicing. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant.
21Jacob's leader will be one of them; his ruler will issue from him. I will invite him to me, and he will approach me, for who would otherwise risk his life to approach me? This is the LORD's declaration.
