5. "For thus says the Lord, 'I have heard a sound of terror, Of dread, and there is no peace.
6. 'Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?
7. 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it.
8. 'It shall come about on that day,' declares the Lord of hosts, 'that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves.
9. But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.
10. 'Fear not, O Jacob My servant,' declares the Lord, 'And do not be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will save you from afar And your offspring from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease, And no one will make him afraid.
11. 'For I am with you,' declares the Lord, 'to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly And will by no means leave you unpunished.'