Then the leaders of Judah will say to themselves, &#8216;The inhabitants of Jerusalem are a means of strength to us through their God, the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all.&#8217;

On that day the <sc>Lordsc> their God will deliver them as the flock of his people, for they are the precious stones of a crown sparkling over his land.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;I (says the <sc>Lordsc>) will strengthen the kingdom<n id="1" /> of Judah and deliver the people of Joseph<n id="2" /> and will bring them back<n id="3" /> because of my compassion for them. They will be as though I had never rejected them, for I am the <sc>Lordsc> their God and therefore I will hear them.