18. This is what the lord says:“When I bring Israel home again from captivityand restore their fortunes,Jerusalem will be rebuilt on its ruins,and the palace reconstructed as before.
19. There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving,and I will multiply my people, not diminish them;I will honor them, not despise them.
20. Their children will prosper as they did long ago.I will establish them as a nation before me,and I will punish anyone who hurts them.
21. They will have their own ruler again,and he will come from their own people.I will invite him to approach me,” says the lord,“for who would dare to come unless invited?
22. You will be my people,and I will be your God.”
23. Look! The lord’s anger bursts out like a storm,a driving wind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.
24. The fierce anger of the lord will not diminishuntil it has finished all he has planned.In the days to comeyou will understand all this.