These are the words the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah: “This is what the Lord says:

“‘Cries of fear(A) are heard—
    terror, not peace.
Ask and see:
    Can a man bear children?
Then why do I see every strong man
    with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor,(B)
    every face turned deathly pale?(C)
How awful that day(D) will be!
    No other will be like it.
It will be a time of trouble(E) for Jacob,
    but he will be saved(F) out of it.

“‘In that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty,
    ‘I will break the yoke(G) off their necks
and will tear off their bonds;(H)
    no longer will foreigners enslave them.(I)
Instead, they will serve the Lord their God
    and David(J) their king,(K)
    whom I will raise up for them.

10 “‘So do not be afraid,(L) Jacob my servant;(M)
    do not be dismayed, Israel,’
declares the Lord.
‘I will surely save(N) you out of a distant place,
    your descendants from the land of their exile.
Jacob will again have peace and security,(O)
    and no one will make him afraid.(P)

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