At that time, the Lord their God\par will save his people\par like a shepherd saves his sheep.\par They will be very precious to him.\par They will be like sparkling jewels\par on his land.\par
There will be twelve jewels on the Judgment Pouch—one jewel for each of the sons of Israel (Jacob). Write the name of one of the sons of Israel on each of the stones. Cut these names into each stone like a worker makes a seal. [249]
The Lord my Master\par is coming with power.\par He will use his power to rule all the people.\par The Lord will bring rewards for his people.\par He will have their payment with him.\par
The stones on top of the wall\par will be made from rubies.\par I will use shiny jewels for the gates.\par I will use precious stones\par to build the walls around you.\par
In the past, people hurt you.\par Those people will bow down before you.\par In the past, people hated you.\par Those people will bow down at your feet.\par Those people will call you\par ‘The Lord’s City.’\par ‘The Zion {\cf2\super [455]} of the Holy One of Israel.’”\par
“I sent my sheep (people) to other countries. But I will gather together my sheep that are left. And I will bring them back to their pasture (country). When my sheep are back in their pasture, they will have many children and grow in number.
“Nations, listen to this message\par from the Lord!\par Tell this message in the faraway lands\par by the sea:\par ‘God scattered the people of Israel\par But God will bring them back together.\par And he will watch over his flock (people)\par like a shepherd.’\par
If a shepherd is with his sheep when they begin to wander away, then he will go searching for them. In the same way I will search for my sheep. I will save my sheep. I will bring them back from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
Then \{the Ruler of Israel\} will stand\par in the power of the Lord and\par in the wonderful name\par of the Lord his God\par and feed \{the flock\}.\par They will live \{in peace\}\par because at that time, his greatness\par will reach to the ends of the earth. {\cf2\super [62]} \par
So rule your people with your rod.\par Rule the flock of people\par that belongs to you.\par That flock lives alone in the woods,\par and up on Mount Carmel.\par That flock lives in Bashan and Gilead\par like they did in time past.\par
At that time, I will bring you back.\par I will bring you back together.\par I will make you famous.\par People everywhere will praise you.\par That will happen when I bring back the prisoners before your very own eyes!”\par The Lord said those things.\par
The Lord All-Powerful is saying these things. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, you are my servant. I have chosen you. And at that time, I will make you like a signet ring. {\cf2\super [13]} \{You will be the proof that I have done these things!\}”
I will make Judah’s family strong. I will help Joseph’s family win the war. I will bring them back safe and sound. I will comfort them. It will be like I never left them. I am the Lord their God, and I will help them.
The Lord All Powerful says, “At that time, many foreigners speaking different languages will come to a Jewish person, take hold of the hem of his robe and ask, ‘We heard that God is with you. Can we come with you to worship him?’”