6. “In that coming day,” says the lord,“I will gather together those who are lame,those who have been exiles,and those whom I have filled with grief.
7. Those who are weak will survive as a remnant;those who were exiles will become a strong nation.Then I, the lord, will rule from Jerusalemas their king forever.”
8. As for you, Jerusalem,the citadel of God’s people,your royal might and powerwill come back to you again.The kingship will be restoredto my precious Jerusalem.
9. But why are you now screaming in terror?Have you no king to lead you?Have your wise people all died?Pain has gripped you like a woman in childbirth.
10. Writhe and groan like a woman in labor,you people of Jerusalem,for now you must leave this cityto live in the open country.You will soon be sent in exileto distant Babylon.But the lord will rescue you there;he will redeem you from the grip of your enemies.