The Lord is the Mighty One of Israel. The Lord who rules over all announces, “Israel, you have become my enemies. I will act against you in my anger. I will pay you back for what you have done.
The day of the Lord is coming. It will be a terrible day. The Lord’s burning anger will blaze out. He will make the land dry and empty. He’ll destroy the sinners in it.
That’s because the Lord has set aside a day to pay Edom back. He has set aside a year to pay them back. He will pay them back for what they did to Zion.
He has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free. He wants me to announce the day when he will pay his enemies back. Our God has sent me to comfort all those who are sad.
Shout against them on every side! They are giving up. The towers of the city are falling. Its walls are being pulled down. The Lord is paying back its people. So pay them back yourselves. Do to them what they have done to others.
“People of Judah, run away from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of the sins of its people. It is time for me to pay them back. I will punish them for what they have done.
I will use my people Israel to pay Edom back. They will punish Edom because my anger against it is great. They will know how I pay back my enemies,” announces the Lord and King.
“ ‘High Priest Joshua, pay attention! I want you other priests who are sitting with Joshua to listen also. All you men are signs of things to come. I am going to bring to you my servant the Branch.
At that same time there was a powerful earthquake. A tenth of the city crumbled and fell. In the earthquake, 7,000 people were killed. Those who lived through it were terrified. They gave glory to the God of heaven.