4. These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah:
5. ‘This is what the Lord says:‘ “Cries of fear are heard –terror, not peace.
6. Ask and see:can a man bear children?Then why do I see every strong manwith his hands on his stomach like a woman in labour,every face turned deathly pale?
7. How awful that day will be!No other will be like it.It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,but he will be saved out of it.
8. ‘ “In that day,” declares the Lord Almighty,“I will break the yoke off their necksand will tear off their bonds;no longer will foreigners enslave them.
9. Instead, they will serve the Lord their Godand David their king,whom I will raise up for them.
10. ‘ “So do not be afraid, Jacob my servant;do not be dismayed, Israel,”declares the Lord.“I will surely save you out of a distant place,your descendants from the land of their exile.Jacob will again have peace and security,and no one will make him afraid.
11. I am with you and will save you,”declares the Lord.“Though I completely destroy all the nationsamong which I scatter you,I will not completely destroy you.I will discipline you but only in due measure;I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”
12. ‘This is what the Lord says:‘ “Your wound is incurable,your injury beyond healing.