⁸ “‘But you, mountains of Israel, will produce branches and fruit^(A) for my people Israel, for they will soon come home.

²⁶ I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.^[a](A) I will send down showers in season;^(B) there will be showers of blessing.^{(C) 27} The trees will yield their fruit^(D) and the ground will yield its crops;^(E) the people will be secure^(F) in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke^(G) and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.^{(H) 28} They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety,^(I) and no one will make them afraid.^{(J) 29} I will provide for them a land renowned^(K) for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine^(L) in the land or bear the scorn^(M) of the nations.^(N)

⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming^(A) is near.^{(B) 9} Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters,^(C) or you will be judged. The Judge^(D) is standing at the door!^(E)

³⁷ For,

⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.^(A)

¹³ “The days are coming,”^(A) declares the Lord,

²³ On the mountain heights^(A) of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit^(B) and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches.^(C)