<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;It then came about that just as I<n id="1" /> cried out, but they would not obey, so they will cry out, but I will not listen,&#8217; the <sc>Lordsc> <sc>Lord who rules over allsc> had said.

And it will come about that just as you (both Judah and Israel) were a curse to the nations, so I will save you and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid! Instead, be strong!&#8217;p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;For the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all says, &#8216;As I had planned to hurt<n id="1" /> you when your fathers made me angry,&#8217; says the <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all, &#8216;and I was not sorry,

But have my words and statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, not outlived your fathers?<n id="1" /> Then they paid attention<n id="2" /> and confessed, &#8216;The <sc>Lordsc> who rules over all has indeed done what he said he would do to us, because of our sinful ways.&#8217;&#8221;p>

by asking both the priests of the temple<n id="1" /> of the <sc>Lord who rules over allsc> and the prophets, &#8220;Should we weep in the fifth month,<n id="2" /> fasting as we have done over the years?&#8221;

<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.

Then you will escape<n id="1" /> through my mountain valley, for the mountains will extend to Azal.<n id="2" /> Indeed, you will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of King Uzziah<n id="3" /> of Judah. Then the <sc>Lordsc> my God will come with all his holy ones with him.