¹⁰The Lord says, “You say about this place, ‘It’s a dry and empty desert. It doesn’t have any people or animals in it.’ The towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are now deserted. So they do not have any people or animals living in them. But happy sounds will be heard there once more. ¹¹They will be the sounds of joy and gladness. The voices of brides and grooms will fill the streets.

“And the voices of those who bring thank offerings to my house will be heard there. They will say,

‘Give thanks to the Lord who rules over all,

because he is good.

His faithful love continues forever.’

That is because I will bless this land with great success again. It will be as it was before,” says the Lord.

¹²The Lord who rules over all says, “This place is a desert. It does not have any people or animals in it. But there will again be grasslands near all of its towns. Shepherds will rest their flocks there. ¹³Flocks will again pass under the hands of shepherds as they count their sheep,” says the Lord. “That will be done in the towns of the central hill country. It will be done in the western hills and the Negev Desert. It will be done in the territory of Benjamin. And it will be done in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah.

¹⁴“A new day is coming,” announces the Lord. “At that time my gracious promise to my people will come true. I made it to the people of Israel and the people of Judah.

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