Study Desk

Now these are the words which the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah:

"For this is what the LORD says: '^(F1)I have heard a sound of ^(C1)terror, Of fear, and there is no peace.

-'Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his waist, ^(C1)as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale?

-'Woe, for that ^(C1)day is great, There is ^(C2)none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's ^(C3)distress, Yet he will be ^(C4)saved from it.

'It shall come about on that day,' declares the LORD of armies, 'that I will ^(C1)break his yoke from ^(F1)their necks and will tear to pieces ^(F2)their ^(C2)restraints; and strangers will no longer ^(C3)make ^(F3)them their slaves.

'But they shall serve the LORD their God and ^(C1)David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

-'And ^(C1)do not fear, Jacob My servant,' declares the LORD, 'And do not be dismayed, Israel; For behold, I am going to save you ^(C2)from far away, And your ^(F1)descendants from the land of their captivity. And Jacob will return and be ^(C3)at peace, without anxiety, And ^(C4)no one will make him afraid.

-'For ^(C1)I am with you,' declares the LORD, 'to save you; For I will completely ^(C2)destroy all the nations where I have scattered you, Only I will ^(C3)not destroy you completely. But I will ^(C4)discipline you fairly And will by no means leave you unpunished.'