Then the LORDwill be zealousfor His landAnd will havepityon His people.
For out of Jerusalemwill gofortha remnant,and out of MountZionsurvivors.The zealof the LORDwill performthis.
Just as a fatherhascompassionon [his] children,So the LORDhascompassionon those who fearHim.
But the lovingkindnessof the LORDis from everlastingto everlastingon those who fearHim, And His righteousnessto children'schildren,
"For out of Jerusalemwill gofortha remnantand out of MountZionsurvivors.The zealof the LORDof hostswill performthis."'
The LORDwill goforthlike a warrior,He will arouse[His] zeallike a manof war.He will uttera shout,yes,He will raisea warcry.He will prevailagainstHis enemies.
"Foreignerswill buildup your walls,And their kingswill ministerto you; For in My wrathI struckyou, And in My favorI have hadcompassionon you.
Lookdownfrom heavenand seefrom Your holyand glorioushabitation;Whereare Your zealand Your mightydeeds?The stirringsof Your heartand Your compassionare restrainedtowardme.
In alltheir afflictionHe was afflicted,And the angelof His presencesavedthem; In His loveand in His mercyHe redeemedthem, And He liftedthem and carriedthem allthe daysof old.
"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
The LORD'Slovingkindnessesindeednevercease,For His compassionsneverfail.
So the angelwho was speakingwith me saidto me, "Proclaim,saying,'Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"I am exceedinglyjealousfor Jerusalemand Zion.
"Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,I am exceedinglyjealousfor Zion,yes, with greatwrathI am jealousfor her.'
"Sohe gotup and cameto his father.But while he was stilla long wayoff,his fathersawhim and felt compassion[for him], and ranand embracedhim and kissedhim.
"They madeHim jealouswith strange[gods]; With abominationsthey provokedHim to anger.
"For the LORDwill vindicateHis people,And will havecompassionon His servants,WhenHe seesthat [their] strengthis gone,And thereis none[remaining], bondor free.
"Rejoice,O nations,[with] His people;For He will avengethe bloodof His servants,And will rendervengeanceon His adversaries,And will atonefor His land[and] His people."
We countthoseblessedwho endured.You have heardof the enduranceof Joband have seenthe outcomeof the Lord'sdealings, that the Lordis full of compassionand [is] merciful.
So they putawaythe foreigngodsfrom amongthem and servedthe LORD;and He couldbearthe miseryof Israelnolonger.
