18. But be glad and rejoice for everin what I will create,for I will create Jerusalem to be a delightand its people a joy.
19. I will rejoice over Jerusalemand take delight in my people;the sound of weeping and of cryingwill be heard in it no more.
20. ‘Never again will there be in itan infant who lives but a few days,or an old man who does not live out his years;the one who dies at a hundredwill be thought a mere child;the one who fails to reach a hundredwill be considered accursed.
21. They will build houses and dwell in them;they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22. No longer will they build houses and others live in them,or plant and others eat.For as the days of a tree,so will be the days of my people;my chosen ones will long enjoythe work of their hands.
23. They will not labour in vain,nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,they and their descendants with them.
24. Before they call I will answer;while they are still speaking I will hear.
25. The wolf and the lamb will feed together,and the lion will eat straw like the ox,and dust will be the serpent’s food.They will neither harm nor destroyon all my holy mountain,’says the Lord.