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.
11. But I will not do to these people who are left alive what I did in the past,” says the Lord of heaven’s armies.
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.
19. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “You have special days when you give up eating. These days are in the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months. Those days will become good, joyful, happy feasts in Judah. But you must love truth and peace.”
20. This is what the Lord of heaven’s armies says: “Many people from many cities will still come to Jerusalem.
21. People from one city will say to those from another city, ‘We are going to pray to the Lord. We want to ask the Lord of heaven’s armies for help. Come and go with us.’