Study Desk

These are the words the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah:

"This is what the LORD says: " 'Cries of fear 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, every face turned deathly pale?

How awful that day will be! None will be like it. It will be a time of trouble for Jacob, but he will be saved out of it.

" 'In that day,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'I will break the yoke off their necks and will tear off their bonds; no longer will foreigners enslave them.

Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

" 'So do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel,' declares the LORD . 'I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid.

I am with you and will save you,' declares the LORD . 'Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.'