³ This is what the Lord says: “I will return^(A) to Zion^(B) and dwell in Jerusalem.^(C) Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City,^(D) and the mountain^(E) of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.^(F)”

⁴ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem,^(G) each of them with cane in hand because of their age. ⁵ The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.^(H)”

⁶ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time,^(I) but will it seem marvelous to me?^(J)” declares the Lord Almighty.

⁷ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west.^{(K) 8} I will bring them back^(L) to live^(M) in Jerusalem; they will be my people,^(N) and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.^(O)”

⁹ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong^(P) so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets^(Q) said who were present when the foundation^(R) was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. ¹⁰ Before that time there were no wages^(S) for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely^(T) because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. ¹¹ But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,”^(U) declares the Lord Almighty.

¹² “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit,^(V) the ground will produce its crops,^(W) and the heavens will drop their dew.^(X) I will give all these things as an inheritance^(Y) to the remnant of this people.^(Z)

¹⁶ These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth^(A) to each other, and render true and sound judgment^(B) in your courts;^{(C) 17} do not plot evil^(D) against each other, and do not love to swear falsely.^(E) I hate all this,” declares the Lord.