And we say that those who accepted their troubles with patience now have God’s blessing. You have heard about Job’s patience. You know that after all his troubles, the Lord helped him. This shows that the Lord is full of mercy and is kind.
Please, look down from the heavens. See what is happening now. Look down at us from your great and holy home in heaven. Where is your strong love for us? Where is your compassion? Why are you hiding your kind love from me?
The people had many troubles, but he was not against them. He loved them and felt sorry for them, so he saved them. He sent his special angel to save them. He picked them up and carried them, just as he did long ago.
So he left and went to his father. “While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him coming and felt sorry for him. So he ran to him and hugged and kissed him.
The Lord says, “You know that Ephraim is my dear son. I love that child. Yes, I often criticized Ephraim, but I still think about him. I love him very much, and I really do want to comfort him.
Children from other lands will rebuild your walls. Their kings will serve you. “When I was angry, I hurt you, but now I want to be kind to you. So I will comfort you.
The Lord will go out like a strong soldier. Like a man going into battle, he will be full of excitement. He will shout with a loud cry, and he will defeat his enemies.
“The whole world should be happy for God’s people! God punishes people who kill his servants. He gives his enemies the punishment they deserve. And he makes his land and people pure.”
“The Lord will judge his people. They are his servants, and he will show them mercy. He will see that their power is gone. He will see that they are all helpless— the slaves and free people too.
That is because a few people will come out of Jerusalem alive. There will be survivors coming from Mount Zion.” The strong love of the Lord All-Powerful will do this.
That is because a few people will come out of Jerusalem alive. There will be survivors coming from Mount Zion. The strong love of the Lord All-Powerful will do this.