10 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Yet again there will be heard in this place, of which you say, “It is a (A)waste, without man and without animal,” that is, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are (B)deserted, without man and without inhabitant and without animal, 11 the voice of (C)joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the groom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say,

(D)Give thanks to the Lord of armies,
For the Lord is good,
For His mercy is everlasting,”

as they bring a (E)thanksgiving offering into the house of the Lord. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were at first,’ says the Lord.

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10 “This is what the Lord says: You have said, ‘This is a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ Yet in the empty streets of Jerusalem and Judah’s other towns, there will be heard once more 11 the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the Lord. They will sing,

‘Give thanks to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies,
    for the Lord is good.
    His faithful love endures forever!’

For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the Lord.

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