17. One enemy will make threats,and 1,000 of your men will run away.Five enemies will make threats,and all of you will run from them.You will be left alone like a flagpole on a hilltop.You will be like a banner on a hill.
18. The Lord wants to show his mercy to you.He wants to rise and comfort you.The Lord is a fair God.And everyone who waits for his help will be happy.
19. You people who live on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will not cry anymore. The Lord will hear your crying, and he will comfort you. The Lord will hear you, and he will help you.
20. The Lord has given you sorrow and hurt. It was like the bread and water you ate every day. But he is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
21. If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you. It will say, “This is the right way. You should go this way.”
22. You have statues covered with silver and gold. But you will ruin them for further use. You will throw them away like filthy rags. You will say, “Go away!”