8. Has anyone ever seen or heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a day? Zion will not have to suffer long, before the nation is born.
9. Do not think that I will bring my people to the point of birth and not let them be born.” The Lord has spoken.
10. Rejoice with Jerusalem; be glad for her,all you that love this city!Rejoice with her now,all you that have mourned for her!
11. You will enjoy her prosperity,like a child at its mother's breast.
12. The Lord says, “I will bring you lasting prosperity; the wealth of the nations will flow to you like a river that never goes dry. You will be like a child that is nursed by its mother, carried in her arms, and treated with love.
13. I will comfort you in Jerusalem, as a mother comforts her child.
14. When you see this happen, you will be glad; it will make you strong and healthy. Then you will know that I, the Lord, help those who obey me, and I show my anger against my enemies.”
15. The Lord will come with fire. He will ride on the wings of a storm to punish those he is angry with.
16. By fire and sword he will punish all the people of the world whom he finds guilty — and many will be put to death.