"Then the clansof Judahwill sayin their hearts,A strongsupportfor us are the inhabitantsof Jerusalemthrough the LORDof hosts,their God.'
"And I will strengthenthem in the LORD,And in His namethey will walk,"declaresthe LORD.
The LORDroarsfrom ZionAnd uttersHis voicefrom Jerusalem,And the heavensand the earthtremble.But the LORDis a refugefor His peopleAnd a strongholdto the sonsof Israel.
The Godwho girdsme with strengthAnd makesmy wayblameless?
Blessedbe the LORD,my rock,Who trainsmy handsfor war,[And] my fingersfor battle;
For You have girdedme with strengthfor battle;You have subduedunderme those who roseup against me.
A spiritof justicefor him who sitsin judgment,A strengthto those who repelthe onslaughtat the gate.
"In that dayI will makethe clansof Judahlike a firepotamong pieces of woodand a flamingtorchamong sheaves,so they will consumeon the righthandand on the leftallthe surroundingpeoples,while the inhabitantsof Jerusalemagaindwellon their own sitesin Jerusalem.
"I will strengthenthe houseof Judah,And I will savethe houseof Joseph,And I will bringthem back,BecauseI havehadcompassionon them; And they will be as thoughI had not rejectedthem, For I am the LORDtheir Godand I will answerthem.
thenI would rejectthe descendantsof Jacoband DavidMy servant,not takingfrom his descendantsrulersoverthe descendantsof Abraham,Isaacand Jacob.But I will restoretheir fortunesand will havemercyon them.'"
Their leadershall be one of them, And their rulershall comeforthfrom their midst;And I will bringhim nearand he shall approachMe; For whowould dareto riskhis lifeto approachMe?' declaresthe LORD.
"Insteadof bronzeI will bringgold,And insteadof ironI will bringsilver,And insteadof wood,bronze,And insteadof stones,iron.And I will makepeaceyour administratorsAnd righteousnessyour overseers.
Behold,a kingwill reignrighteouslyAnd princeswill rulejustly.
For the LORDhas pouredoveryou a spiritof deepsleep,He has shutyour eyes,the prophets;And He has coveredyour heads,the seers.
"Then I will restoreyour judgesas at the first,And your counselorsas at the beginning;Afterthat you will be calledthe cityof righteousness,A faithfulcity."
Your rulersare rebelsAnd companionsof thieves;Everyonelovesa bribeAnd chasesafter rewards.They do not defendthe orphan,Nordoes the widow'spleacomebeforethem.
Hearthe wordof the LORD,You rulersof Sodom;Giveearto the instructionof our God,You peopleof Gomorrah.
Godis our refugeand strength,A verypresenthelpin trouble.
"My heart[goes out] to the commandersof Israel,The volunteersamong the people;Blessthe LORD!
"In that day,"declaresthe LORD,"I will strikeeveryhorsewith bewildermentand his riderwith madness.But I will watchoverthe houseof Judah,while I strikeeveryhorseof the peopleswith blindness.
Judahalsowill fightat Jerusalem;and the wealthof allthe surroundingnationswill be gathered,goldand silverand garmentsin greatabundance.
In that daythe LORDof hostswill becomea beautifulcrownAnd a gloriousdiademto the remnantof His people;
"They will sayof Me, 'Onlyin the LORDare righteousnessand strength.'Men will cometo Him, And allwho were angryat Him will be putto shame.
