⁵ “Indeed, this is what the Lord says:

‘We have heard a sound of terror
    and of fear, and there is no peace.
⁶ Ask about this and think about it—
    Can a man give birth to a child?
Why then do I see every strong man
    with his hands on his thighs
like a woman giving birth,
    and all their faces have turned pale?
⁷ Oh how terrible! That time^[a] will be worse
    than any like it.
It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,
    but he will be rescued from it.
⁸ On that day,’ declares the Lord
    of the Heavenly Armies,
‘I’ll break the yoke^[b] from your neck
    and will tear off your restraints.^[c]
        Foreigners will no longer make you^[d] serve them.^[e]
9 Rather, they will serve the Lord their God
    and David their king,
        whom I will raise up for them.

¹⁰ ‘My servant Jacob, don’t be afraid,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘and Israel, don’t be dismayed.
For I’ll deliver you from a distant place
    and your descendants from the land of their captivity.
Jacob will return. He will be undisturbed and secure,
    and no one will cause him to fear.
¹¹ For I’ll be with you to save you,’
    declares the Lord.
‘For I’ll put an end to all the nations
    where I scattered you;
        but I won’t make an end of you.
I’ll discipline you justly,
    but I certainly won’t leave you unpunished.’