5. Yes, here is what he says:“You hear cries of panic and of terror;there is no peace in sight.
6. Ask yourselves this and consider it carefully:Have you ever seen a man give birth to a baby?Why then do I see all these strong mengrabbing their stomachs in pain like a woman giving birth?And why do their facesturn so deathly pale?
7. Alas, what a terrible time of trouble it is!There has never been any like it.It is a time of trouble for the descendants of Jacob,but some of them will be rescued out of it.
8. When the time for them to be rescued comes,”says the Lord who rules over all,“I will rescue you from foreign subjugation.I will deliver you from captivity.Foreigners will then no longer subjugate them.
9. But they will be subject to the Lord their Godand to the Davidic ruler whom I will raise up as king over them.
10. So I, the Lord, tell you not to be afraid, you descendants of Jacob, my servants.Do not be terrified, people of Israel.For I will rescue you and your descendantsfrom a faraway land where you are captives.The descendants of Jacob will return to their land and enjoy peace.They will be secure and no one will terrify them.
11. For I, the Lord, affirm that I will be with you and will rescue you.I will completely destroy all the nations where I scattered you.But I will not completely destroy you.I will indeed discipline you, but only in due measure.I will not allow you to go entirely unpunished.”
12. Moreover, the Lord says to the people of Zion,“Your injuries are incurable;your wounds are severe.
13. There is no one to plead your cause.There are no remedies for your wounds.There is no healing for you.
14. All your allies have abandoned you.They no longer have any concern for you.For I have attacked you like an enemy would.I have chastened you cruelly.For your wickedness is so greatand your sin is so much.
15. Why do you complain about your injuries,that your pain is incurable?I have done all this to youbecause your wickedness is so greatand your sin is so much.