4 Now these are the words which Yahweh spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: 5 “For thus says Yahweh,‘We have heard a sound of trembling,
Of dread, and there is no peace.
6 Ask now, and see
If a male can give birth.
Why do I see every man
With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth?
And why have all faces turned pale?
7 Alas! For that day is great,
There is none like it;
And it is the time of Jacob’s distress,
But he will be saved from it.
8 ‘And it will be in that day,’ declares Yahweh of hosts, ‘that I will break his yoke from off your neck and will tear off your bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves. 9 But they shall be a slave to Yahweh their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. 10 Fear not, O Jacob My servant,’ declares Yahweh,
‘And do not be dismayed, O Israel;
For behold, I will save you from afar
And your seed from the land of their captivity.
And Jacob will return and will be quiet and at ease,
And no one will make him tremble.
11 For I am with you,’ declares Yahweh, ‘to save you;
For I will make a complete destruction of all the nations where I have scattered you,
Only I will not make a complete destruction of you.
But I will chasten you justly
And will by no means leave you unpunished.’