3 for look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will restore the fortunesA of my people Israel and Judah,”b says the Lord. “I will restore them to the land I gave to their ancestors and they will possess it.”

4 These are the words the Lord spoke to Israel and Judah. 5 This is what the Lord says:

We have heard a cry of terror,

of dread—there is no peace.

6 Ask and see

whether a male can give birth.

Why then do I see every man

with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor

and every face turned pale?c

7 How awful that day will be!d

There will be no other like it!e

It will be a time of trouble for Jacob,

but he will be saved out of it.