12. “Their seeds will come up. Their grapevines will have fruit. The ground will give good crops. And the sky will send rain. I will give all this to those who are left alive.
13. Judah and Israel, your names have been used as curses. But I will save you. And you will be a blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong.”
14. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Your ancestors made me angry. So I planned to punish you. I had no mercy,” says the Lord of heaven’s armies.
15. “But now I am planning to do good to Jerusalem and Judah. So don’t be afraid.
16. But do these things: Tell each other the truth. In the courts judge with truth and complete fairness.
17. Do not make plans to hurt your neighbors. And don’t make false promises. I hate all these things,” says the Lord.
18. The Lord of heaven’s armies spoke his word to me again.