11. My people, I made an agreement with youand sealed it with the blood of sacrifices.Because of this, I will set your prisoners free from captivity,which is like a dry pit.
12. You prisoners who have hope,return to your place of safety.Today I am telling youthat I will give you back twice as much as before.
13. I will use Judah like a bow.And Ephraim will be like the arrows.Jerusalem, I will use your mento fight the men of Greece.I will make you like the sword of a warrior.
14. Then the Lord will appear to them.He will shoot his arrows like lightning.The Lord God will blow the trumpet.And he will march in the storms of the south.
15. The Lord of heaven’s armies will protect them.They will destroy the enemy with slingshots.They will drink and shout like drunk men.They will be filled like a bowlused for sprinkling blood at the corners of the altar.
16. On that day the Lord their God will save themas if his people were sheep.They will shine in his landlike jewels in a crown.
17. They will be so pretty and beautiful.The young men will grow strong on the grain.And the young women will grow strong on new wine.