4. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Old men and old women will again sit along Jerusalem’s streets. Each will carry a cane because of his age.
5. And the streets will be filled with boys and girls playing.”
6. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Those who are left alive then may think it is too difficult to happen. But it is not too difficult for me,” says the Lord of heaven’s armies.
7. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “I will save my people from countries in the east and west.
8. I will bring them back. And they will live in Jerusalem. They will be my people. And I will be their good and loyal God.”
9. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Be strong, you who are hearing these words today. The prophets spoke these words when the foundation was laid for the building of the Temple.
10. Before that time there was no money to hire men or animals. People could not safely come and go because of the enemies. I had turned everyone against his neighbor.