1. A message came to me from the Lord. He said,
2. "I am the Lord. I am the God of Israel. I say, 'Write on a scroll all of the words I have spoken to you.
3. A new day is coming,' " announces the Lord. " 'At that time I will bring my people Israel and Judah back from where they have been taken as prisoners. I will bring them back to this land. Long ago I gave it to their people to have as their own,' " says the Lord.
4. Here are the words the Lord spoke about Israel and Judah. He said,
5. "I am the Lord. I say, " 'Cries of fear are heard. There is terror. There isn't any peace.
6. Ask and see. Can a man give birth to children? Then why do I see every strong man with his hands on his stomach? Each of them is acting like a woman having a baby. Every face is as pale as death.
7. How awful that day will be! No other day will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for the people of Jacob. But they will be saved out of it.
8. " 'At that time I will break the yoke off their necks,' announces the Lord who rules over all. 'I will tear off the ropes that hold them. People from other lands will not make them slaves anymore.
9. Instead, they will serve me. And they will serve David their king. I will raise him up for them. I am the Lord their God.