³⁸ as numerous as the flocks for offerings^(A) at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.^(B)”

⁵ Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing^(A) Jews from every nation under heaven. ⁶ When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. ⁷ Utterly amazed,^(B) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(C) 8} Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,^(D) Pontus^(E) and Asia,^{[a](F) 10} Phrygia^(G) and Pamphylia,^(H) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;^(I) visitors from Rome ¹¹ (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”

¹⁶ I have other sheep^(A) that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock^(B) and one shepherd.^(C)

⁴ Then I heard the number^(A) of those who were sealed: 144,000^(B) from all the tribes of Israel.

The Great Multitude in White Robes

⁹ After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language,^(C) standing before the throne^(D) and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes^(E) and were holding palm branches in their hands.

¹⁹ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “The fasts of the fourth,^(A) fifth,^(B) seventh^(C) and tenth^(D) months will become joyful^(E) and glad occasions and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth^(F) and peace.”

²⁰ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, ²¹ and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat^(G) the Lord and seek^(H) the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.’ ²² And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him.”^(I)

²³ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”^(J)

³³ “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse^(A) you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins^(B) will be rebuilt.^{(C) 34} The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. ³⁵ They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden;^(D) the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited.^(E)”

³¹ You are my sheep,^(A) the sheep of my pasture,^(B) and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

²⁷ “The days are coming,”^(A) declares the Lord, “when I will plant^(B) the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals. ²⁸ Just as I watched^(C) over them to uproot^(D) and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster,^(E) so I will watch over them to build and to plant,”^(F) declares the Lord.