4. Don't be afraid or ashamedand don't be discouraged.You won't be disappointed.Forget how sinful you werewhen you were young;stop feeling ashamedfor being left a widow.
5. The Lord All-Powerful,the Holy God of Israel,rules all the earth.He is your Creator and husband,and he will rescue you.
6. You were like a young wife,brokenhearted and cryingbecause her husbandhad divorced her.But the Lord your God says,“I am taking you back!
7. I rejected you for a while,but with love and tendernessI will embrace you again.
8. For a while, I turned awayin furious anger.Now I will have mercyand love you for ever!I, your protector and Lord,make this promise.”
9. I once promised Noah that Iwould never again destroythe earth by a flood.Now I have promised that Iwill never again get angryand punish you.
10. Every mountain and hillmay disappear.But I will always be kindand merciful to you;I won't break my agreementto give your nation peace.
11. Jerusalem, you are sadand discouraged,tossed around in a storm.But I, the Lord,will rebuild your citywith precious stones;for your foundationI will use blue sapphires.
12. Your fortresseswill be built of rubies,your gates of jewels,and your walls of gems.
13. I will teach your childrenand make them successful.
14. You will be built on fairnesswith no fears of injustice;every one of your worrieswill be taken far from you.
15. I will never send anyoneto attack your city,and you will make prisonersof those who do attack.
16. Don't forget that I createdmetalworkers who make weaponsover burning coals.I also created armiesthat can bring destruction.
17. Weapons made to attack youwon't be successful;words spoken against youwon't hurt at all.My servants, Jerusalem is yours!I, the Lord, promiseto bless you with victory.