7  Before a woman goes into labor, she gives birth. 

Before she has labor pains, she delivers a child. 

8  Who has heard of such a thing? 

Who has seen such things? 

Can a country be born in one day? 

Can a nation be born in a moment? 

When Zion went into labor, 

she also gave birth to her children. 

9  “Do I bring a mother to the moment of birth 

and not let her deliver?” asks the Lord. 

“Do I cause a mother to deliver 

and then make her unable to have children?” asks your God. 

10  All who love Jerusalem, be happy and rejoice with her. 

All who mourn for her, be glad with her. 

11  You will nurse and be satisfied from her comforting breasts. 

You will nurse to your heart’s delight at her full breasts. 

12 This is what the Lord says: 

I will offer you peace like a river 

and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream. 

You will nurse and be carried in Jerusalem’s arms 

and cuddled on her knees.