18. So the lord must wait for you to come to himso he can show you his love and compassion.For the lord is a faithful God.Blessed are those who wait for his help.
19. O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,you will weep no more.He will be gracious if you ask for help.He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
20. Though the Lord gave you adversity for foodand suffering for drink,he will still be with you to teach you.You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
21. Your own ears will hear him.Right behind you a voice will say,“This is the way you should go,”whether to the right or to the left.
22. Then you will destroy all your silver idolsand your precious gold images.You will throw them out like filthy rags,saying to them, “Good riddance!”
23. Then the lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock.
24. The oxen and donkeys that till the ground will eat good grain, its chaff blown away by the wind.