¹⁰“This is what the Lord says: You have said that this place is ruined and that no people or animals live in it. It’s true! The cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted. No people or animals live there. But once again you will hear ¹¹the sounds of joy and happiness and the sounds of brides and grooms. You will hear those who bring thank offerings to the Lord’s temple say,

‘Give thanks to the Lord of Armies because the Lord is good,

because his mercy endures forever.’

I will restore the fortunes of the land to what they were before,” says the Lord.

¹²“This is what the Lord of Armies says: In this deserted place, where no people or animals live, and in all its cities, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can rest their flocks. ¹³In the cities on the mountains, in the foothills, in the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the area around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep,” says the Lord.

¹⁴“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will keep the promise that I made to Israel and Judah.

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