I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord.“ I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.

耶和华说：我知道我向你们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望。

我知道我向你们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望。这是耶和华说的。

我知道我向你们所怀的意念是赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望。这是耶和华说的。

因为我知道我为你们安排的计划。我的计划不是要降祸给你们，而是要赐福给你们，使你们的未来充满希望。这是耶和华说的。

因我自己知道我为你们所定的计划，是使你们得平安，而不是遭受灾祸的计划；要赐给你们美好的前程和盼望。’这是耶和华的宣告。

耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。

我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。這是耶和華說的。

我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。這是耶和華說的。

因為我知道我為你們安排的計劃。我的計劃不是要降禍給你們，而是要賜福給你們，使你們的未來充滿希望。這是耶和華說的。

因我自己知道我為你們所定的計劃，是使你們得平安，而不是遭受災禍的計劃；要賜給你們美好的前程和盼望。’這是耶和華的宣告。

因為我知道我向你們懷的意念、永恆主發神諭說、是賜福利的意念，不是降災禍的意念；是要給你們好的晚景和希望。

耶和華曰、我為爾所存之念、我自知之、乃平康之念、非災害之念也、俾爾終有所望、

耶和華又云、予待爾將若何、予自知之、欲錫平康、不加災害、終有可望。

主又云、我為爾所懷之意、惟我知之、我意賜爾平康、不加災害、爾曹終有可望、

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,“ plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.“ They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the plans I have for you”— this is the LORD’s declaration—“ plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord,‘ plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith Jehovah, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.

For I know the plans I have for you”— this is the Lord’s declaration—“ plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD.‘ I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh,“ thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.

“ My thoughts are not like your thoughts. And your ways are not like my ways,” announces the Lord.“ The heavens are higher than the earth. And my ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.The rain and the snow come down from the sky. They do not return to it without watering the earth. They make plants come up and grow. The plants produce seeds for farmers. They also produce food for people to eat.The words I speak are like that. They will not return to me without producing results. They will accomplish what I want them to. They will do exactly what I sent them to do.“ My people, you will go out of Babylon with joy. You will be led out of it in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song as you go. And all the trees in the fields will clap their hands.

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever. What he wants to do will last for all time.

Lord my God, no one can compare with you. You have done many wonderful things. You have planned to do these things for us. There are too many of them for me to talk about.

But those nations don’t know what the Lord has in mind. They don’t understand his plan. He has planned to gather them up like bundles of grain. He has planned to take them to his threshing floor.

“ But he’s the only God. Who can oppose him? He does anything he wants to do.

It is good when people wait quietly for the Lord to save them.

Before something even happens, I announce how it will end. In fact, from times long ago I announced what was still to come. I say,‘ My plan will succeed. I will do anything I want to do.’I will send for a man from the east to carry out my plan. From a land far away, he will come like a bird that kills its food. I will bring about what I have said. I will do what I have planned.

The Lord and King says,“ I myself will search for my sheep. I will look after them.A shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them. And I will look after my sheep. I will save them from all the places where they were scattered on a dark and cloudy day.I will bring them out from among the nations. I will gather them together from other countries. I will bring them into their own land. There they will eat grass on the mountains and in the valleys. And they will eat in all the fields of Israel.I will take care of them in the best grasslands. They will eat grass on the highest mountains of Israel. There they will lie down in the finest grasslands. They will eat grass in the best places on Israel’s mountains.I myself will take care of my sheep. I will let them lie down in safety,” announces the Lord and King.“ I will search for the lost. I will bring back those who have wandered away. I will bandage the ones who are hurt. I will make the weak ones stronger. But I will destroy those who are fat and strong. I will take good care of my sheep. I will treat them fairly.”The Lord and King says,“ You are my flock. I will judge between one sheep and another. I will judge between rams and goats.You already eat in the best grasslands. Must you also stomp all over the other fields? You already drink clear water. Must you also make the rest of the water muddy with your feet?Must my flock have to eat the grass you have stomped on? Must they drink the water you have made muddy?”So the Lord and King speaks to them. He says,“ I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the skinny sheep.You push the other sheep around with your hips and shoulders. You use your horns to butt all the weak sheep. Finally, you drive them away.But I will save my sheep. They will not be carried off anymore. I will judge between one sheep and another.I will place one shepherd over them. He will belong to the family line of my servant David. He will take good care of them. He will look after them. He will be their shepherd.I am the Lord. I will be their God. And my servant from David’s family line will be the prince among them. I have spoken. I am the Lord.“ I will make a covenant with them. It promises to give them peace. I will get rid of the wild animals in the land. Then my sheep can live safely in the desert. They can sleep in the forests.I will make them and the places surrounding my holy mountain of Zion a blessing. I will send down rain at the right time. There will be showers of blessing.The trees will bear their fruit. And the ground will produce its crops. The people will be secure in their land. I will break the chains that hold them. I will save them from the power of those who made them slaves. Then they will know that I am the Lord.The nations will not carry them off anymore. Wild animals will no longer eat them up. They will live in safety. And no one will make them afraid.I will give them a land that is famous for its crops. They will never again be hungry there. The nations will not make fun of them anymore.Then they will know that I am with them. I am the Lord their God. And the Israelites will know that they are my people,” announces the Lord and King.“ You are my sheep. You belong to my flock. And I am your God,” announces the Lord and King.

Go. Announce this message to the people in the north. Tell them,“‘ Israel, you have not been faithful,’ announces the Lord.‘ Return to me. Then I will do good things for you again. That’s because I am faithful,’ announces the Lord.‘ I will not be angry with you forever.Admit that you are guilty of doing what is wrong. You have refused to obey me. I am the Lord your God. You have committed adultery with other gods. You worshiped them under every green tree. And you have not obeyed me,’ ” announces the Lord.“ You people have not been faithful,” announces the Lord.“ Return to me. I am your husband. I will choose one of you from each town. I will choose two from each territory. And I will bring you to the city of Zion.Then I will give you shepherds who are dear to my heart. Their knowledge and understanding will help them lead you.In those days there will be many more of you in the land,” announces the Lord.“ Then people will not talk about the ark of the covenant of the Lord anymore. It will never enter their minds. They will not remember it. The ark will not be missed. And another one will not be made.At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the Lord. All the nations will gather together there. They will go there to honor me. They will no longer do what their stubborn and evil hearts want them to do.In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel. Together they will come from a land in the north. They will come to the land I gave to your people of long ago. I wanted them to have it as their very own.“ I myself said,“‘ I would gladly treat you like my children. I would give you a pleasant land. It is the most beautiful land any nation could have.’ I thought you would call me‘ Father.’ I hoped you would always obey me.

“ At that time I will be the God of all the families of Israel,” announces the Lord.“ And they will be my people.”The Lord says,“ Some of my people will live through everything their enemies do to them. They will find help in the desert. I will come to give peace and rest to Israel.”The Lord appeared to us in the past. He said,“ I have loved you with a love that lasts forever. I have kept on loving you with a kindness that never fails.I will build you up again. Nation of Israel, you will be rebuilt. Once again you will use your tambourines to celebrate. You will go out and dance with joy.Once again you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria. Farmers will plant them. They will enjoy their fruit.There will be a day when those on guard duty will cry out. They will stand on the hills of Ephraim. And they will shout,‘ Come! Let’s go up to Zion. Let’s go up to where the Lord our God is.’ ”The Lord says,“ Sing for joy because the people of Jacob are blessed. Shout because the Lord has made them the greatest nation. Make your praises heard. Say,‘ Lord, save your people. Save the people who are left alive in Israel.’I will bring them from the land of the north. I will gather them from one end of the earth to the other. Even those who are blind and those who can’t walk will be among them. Pregnant women and women having their babies will be among them also. Many of them will return.Their eyes will be filled with tears as they come. They will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water. I will lead them on a level path where they will not trip or fall. I am Israel’s father. And Ephraim is my oldest son.“ Listen to my message, you nations. Announce it on shores far away. Say,‘ He who scattered Israel will gather them. He will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’I will set the people of Jacob free. I will save them from those who are stronger than they are.They will come and shout for joy on Mount Zion. They will be joyful because of everything I give them. I give them grain, olive oil and fresh wine. I give them the young animals in their flocks and herds. Israel will be like a garden that has plenty of water. And they will not be sad anymore.Then young women will dance and be glad. And so will the men, young and old alike. I will turn their mourning into gladness. I will comfort them. And I will give them joy instead of sorrow.I will satisfy the priests. I will give them more than enough. And my people will be filled with the good things I give them,” announces the Lord.The Lord says,“ A voice is heard in Ramah. It is the sound of weeping and deep sadness. Rachel is weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are gone.”The Lord says,“ Do not weep anymore. Do not let tears fall from your eyes. I will reward you for your work,” announces the Lord.“ Your children will return from the land of the enemy.So there is hope for your children,” announces the Lord.“ Your children will return to their own land.“ I have heard the groans of Ephraim’s people. They say,‘ You corrected us like a calf you were training. And we have been trained. Bring us back to you, and we will come back. You are the Lord our God.After we wandered away from you, we turned away from our sins. After we learned our lesson, we beat our chests in sorrow. We were full of shame. What we did when we were young brought dishonor on us.’Aren’t the people of Ephraim my dear children? Aren’t they the children I take delight in? I often speak against them. But I still remember them. So my heart longs for them. I love them with a tender love,” announces the Lord.The Lord says,“ Put up road signs. Set up stones to show the way. Look carefully for the highway. Look for the road you will take. Return, people of Israel. Return to your towns.How long will you wander, my people Israel, who are not faithful to me? I will create a new thing on earth. The woman will return to the man.”The Lord who rules over all is the God of Israel. He says,“ I will bring them back from the place where they were taken. Here is what the people in Judah and its towns will say once again.‘ May the Lord bless you, you successful city. Sacred mountain, may he bless you.’People will live together in Judah and all its towns. Farmers and shepherds will live there.I will give rest to those who are tired. I will satisfy those who are weak.”When I heard this, I woke up and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.Here is what the Lord announces.“ The days are coming when I will plant the kingdoms of Israel and Judah again. I will plant them with children and young animals.I watched over Israel and Judah to pull them up by the roots. I tore them down. I crushed them. I destroyed them. I brought horrible trouble on them. But now I will watch over them to build them up and plant them,” announces the Lord.“ In those days people will no longer say,“‘ The parents have eaten sour grapes. But the children have a bitter taste in their mouths.’Instead, everyone will die for their own sin. The one who eats sour grapes will taste how bitter they are.“ The days are coming,” announces the Lord.“ I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel. I will also make it with the people of Judah.It will not be like the covenant I made with their people of long ago. That was when I took them by the hand. I led them out of Egypt. But they broke my covenant. They did it even though I was like a husband to them,” announces the Lord.“ This is the covenant I will make with Israel after that time,” announces the Lord.“ I will put my law in their minds. I will write it on their hearts. I will be their God. And they will be my people.

“ After that, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will have visions.In those days I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women alike.I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. It will happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.Everyone who calls out to me will be saved. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some of my people will be left alive. I have chosen them. That is what I have promised.

Tell the Lord you are turning away from your sins. Return to him. Say to him,“ Forgive us for all our sins. Please be kind to us. Welcome us back to you. Then our lips will offer you our praise.Assyria can’t save us. We won’t trust in our war horses. Our own hands have made statues of gods. But we will never call them our gods again. We are like children whose fathers have died. But you show us your tender love.”Then the Lord will answer,“ My people always wander away from me. But I will put an end to that. My anger has turned away from them. Now I will love them freely.I will be like the dew to Israel. They will bloom like a lily. They will send their roots down deep like a cedar tree in Lebanon.They will spread out like new branches. They will be as beautiful as an olive tree. They will smell as sweet as the cedar trees in Lebanon.Once again my people will live in the safety of my shade. They will grow like grain. They will bloom like vines. And Israel will be as famous as wine from Lebanon.Ephraim will have nothing more to do with other gods. I will answer the prayers of my people. I will take good care of them. I will be like a healthy juniper tree to them. All the fruit they bear will come from me.”If someone is wise, they will realize that what I’ve said is true. If they have understanding, they will know what it means. The ways of the Lord are right. People who are right with God live the way he wants them to. But those who refuse to obey him trip and fall.

“ Comfort my people,” says your God.“ Comfort them.Speak tenderly to the people of Jerusalem. Announce to them that their hard labor has been completed. Tell them that their sin has been paid for. Tell them the Lord has punished them enough for all their sins.”A messenger is calling out,“ In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The rough ground will be smoothed out. The rocky places will be made flat.Then the glory of the Lord will appear. And everyone will see it together. The Lord has spoken.”Another messenger says,“ Cry out.” And I said,“ What should I cry?”“ Cry out,‘ All people are like grass. They don’t stay faithful to me any longer than wildflowers last.The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground. That happens when the Lord makes his wind blow on them. So people are just like grass.The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground. But what our God says will stand forever.’ ”Zion, you are bringing good news to your people. Go up on a high mountain and announce it. Jerusalem, you are bringing good news to them. Shout the message loudly. Shout it out loud. Don’t be afraid. Say to the towns of Judah,“ Your God is coming!”The Lord and King is coming with power. He rules with a powerful arm. He has set his people free. He is bringing them back as his reward. He has won the battle over their enemies.He takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have little ones.Who has measured the oceans by using the palm of his hand? Who has used the width of his hand to mark off the sky? Who has measured out the dust of the earth in a basket? Who has weighed the mountains on scales? Who has weighed the hills in a balance?Who can ever understand the Spirit of the Lord? Who can ever give him advice?Did the Lord have to ask anyone to help him understand? Did he have to ask someone to teach him the right way? Who taught him what he knows? Who showed him how to understand?The nations are only a drop in a bucket to him. He considers them as nothing but dust on the scales. He weighs the islands as if they were only fine dust.Lebanon doesn’t have enough trees to keep his altar fires burning. It doesn’t have enough animals to sacrifice as burnt offerings to him.To him, all the nations don’t amount to anything. He considers them to be worthless. In fact, they are less than nothing in his sight.So who will you compare God with? Is there any other god like him?Will you compare him with a statue of a god? Anyone who works with metal can make a statue. Then another worker covers it with gold and makes silver chains for it.But someone who is too poor to bring that kind of offering will choose some wood that won’t rot. Then they look for a skilled worker. They pay the worker to make a statue of a god that won’t fall over.Don’t you know who made everything? Haven’t you heard about him? Hasn’t it been told to you from the beginning? Haven’t you understood it ever since the earth was made?God sits on his throne high above the earth. Its people look like grasshoppers to him. He spreads out the heavens like a cover. He sets it up like a tent to live in.He takes the power of princes away from them. He reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.They are planted. They are scattered like seeds. They put down roots in the ground. But as soon as that happens, God blows on them and they dry up. Then a windstorm sweeps them away like straw.“ So who will you compare me with? Who is equal to me?” says the Holy One.Look up toward the sky. Who created everything you see? The Lord causes the stars to come out at night one by one. He calls out each one of them by name. His power and strength are great. So none of the stars is missing.Family of Jacob, why do you complain,“ The Lord doesn’t notice our condition”? People of Israel, why do you say,“ Our God doesn’t pay any attention to our rightful claims”?Don’t you know who made everything? Haven’t you heard about him? The Lord is the God who lives forever. He created everything on earth. He won’t become worn out or get tired. No one will ever know how great his understanding is.He gives strength to those who are tired. He gives power to those who are weak.Even young people become worn out and get tired. Even the best of them trip and fall.But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak.

“ So now I am going to draw her back to me. I will lead her into the desert. There I will speak tenderly to her.I will give her back her vineyards. I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope for her. Then she will love me, as she did when she was young. She will love me just as she did when she came up out of Egypt.“ A new day is coming,” announces the Lord.“ Israel will call me‘ my husband.’ She will no longer call me‘ my master.’She will no longer speak about the gods that are named Baal. She will not pray to them for help anymore.At that time I will make a covenant for the good of my people. I will make it with the wild animals and the birds in the sky. It will also be made with the creatures that move along the ground. I will remove bows and swords and other weapons of war from the land. Then my people can lie down in safety.I will make Israel my own. She will belong to me forever. I will do to her what is right and fair. I will love her tenderly.I will be faithful to her. And she will recognize me as the Lord.“ So at that time I will answer her,” announces the Lord.“ I will command the skies to send rain on the earth.Then the earth will produce grain, olive oil and fresh wine. And Israel will be called Jezreel. That’s because I will answer her prayers.I will plant her in the land for myself. I will show my love to the one I called Not My Loved One. I will say,‘ You are my people’ to those who were called Not My People. And they will say,‘ You are my God.’ ”

People of Zion, sing! Israel, shout loudly! People of Jerusalem, be glad! Let your hearts be full of joy.The Lord has stopped punishing you. He has made your enemies turn away from you. The Lord is the King of Israel. He is with you. You will never again be afraid that others will harm you.The time is coming when people will say to Jerusalem,“ Zion, don’t be afraid. Don’t give up.The Lord your God is with you. He is the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you. In his love he will no longer punish you. Instead, he will sing for joy because of you.”The Lord says to his people,“ You used to celebrate my appointed feasts in Jerusalem. You are sad because you can’t do that anymore. Other people make fun of you because of that. That sadness was a heavy load for you to carry. But I will remove that load from you.At that time I will punish all those who crushed you. I will save those among you who are disabled. I will gather those who have been taken away. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have been put to shame.At that time I will gather you together. And I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the nations on earth. I will bless you with great success again,” says the Lord.

Then the family groups of Judah will say in their hearts,‘ The people of Jerusalem are strong. That’s because the Lord who rules over all is their God.’“ At that time Judah’s family groups will be like a fire pot in a pile of wood. They will be like a burning torch among bundles of grain. They will destroy all the surrounding nations on every side. But Jerusalem will remain unharmed in its place.“ I will save the houses in Judah first. The honor of David’s family line is great. So is the honor of those who live in Jerusalem. But their honor will not be greater than the honor of the rest of Judah.At that time I will be like a shield to those who live in Jerusalem. Then even the weakest among them will be great warriors like David. And David’s family line will be like the angel of the Lord who leads them.On that day I will begin to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.“ I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on David’s family line. I will also send it on those who live in Jerusalem. They will look to me. I am the one they have pierced. They will mourn over me as someone mourns over an only child who has died. They will be full of sorrow over me. Their sorrow will be just like someone’s sorrow over an oldest son.

The Lord says,“ I will bless Jacob’s people with great success again. I will show tender love to Israel. Jerusalem will be rebuilt where it was destroyed. The palace will stand in its proper place.From those places the songs of people giving thanks will be heard. The sound of great joy will come from there. I will cause there to be more of my people. There will not be fewer of them. I will bring them honor. People will have respect for them.Things will be as they used to be for Jacob’s people. I will make their community firm and secure. I will punish everyone who treats them badly.Their leader will be one of their own people. Their ruler will rise up from among them. I will bring him near. And he will come close to me. He will commit himself to serve me,” announces the Lord.“ So you will be my people. And I will be your God.”

“ City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has won the victory. He is humble and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey’s colt.I will take the chariots away from Ephraim. I will remove the war horses from Jerusalem. I will break the bows that are used in battle. Your king will announce peace to the nations. He will rule from ocean to ocean. His kingdom will reach from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.I will set your prisoners free from where their enemies are keeping them. I will do it because of the blood that put into effect my covenant with you.Return to your place of safety, you prisoners who still have hope. Even now I announce that I will give you back much more than you had before.I will bend Judah as I bend my bow. I will make Ephraim’s people my arrows. Zion, I will stir up your sons. Greece, they will attack your sons. My people, I will use you as my sword.”Then the Lord will appear over his people. His arrows will flash like lightning. The Lord and King will blow the trumpet of his thunder. He’ll march out like a storm in the south.The Lord who rules over all will be like a shield to his people. They will destroy their enemies. They’ll use slings to throw stones at them. They’ll drink the blood of their enemies as if it were wine. They’ll be full like the bowl that is used for sprinkling the corners of the altar.The Lord their God will save his people on that day. He will be like a shepherd who saves his flock. They will gleam in his land like jewels in a crown.How very beautiful they will be! Grain and fresh wine will make the young men and young women strong.

Lord, be like a shepherd to your people. Take good care of them. They are your flock. They live by themselves in the safety of a forest. Rich grasslands are all around them. Let them eat grass in Bashan and Gilead just as they did long ago.The Lord says to his people,“ I showed you my wonders when you came out of Egypt long ago. In the same way, I will show them to you again.”When the nations see those wonders, they will be put to shame. All their power will be taken away from them. They will be so amazed that they won’t be able to speak or hear.They’ll be forced to eat dust like a snake. They’ll be like creatures that have to crawl on the ground. They’ll come out of their dens trembling with fear. They’ll show respect for the Lord our God. They will also have respect for his people.Lord, who is a God like you? You forgive sin. You forgive your people when they do what is wrong. You don’t stay angry forever. Instead, you take delight in showing your faithful love to them.Once again you will show loving concern for us. You will completely wipe out the evil things we’ve done. You will throw all our sins into the bottom of the sea.You will be faithful to Jacob’s people. You will show your love to Abraham’s children. You will do what you promised to do for our people. You made that promise long ago.

The Lord who rules over all says,“ Your people of long ago made me angry. So I decided to bring trouble on them. I did not show them any pity.But now I plan to do good things to Jerusalem and Judah again. So do not be afraid.

After that, the people of Israel will return to the Lord their God. They will look to him and to a king from the family line of David. In the last days, they will tremble with fear as they come to the Lord. And they will receive his full blessing.

“ I am the Lord and King. My eyes are watching the sinful kingdom of Israel. I will wipe it off the face of the earth. But I will not totally destroy the people of Jacob,” announces the Lord.“ I will give an order. I will shake the people of Israel among all the nations. They will be like grain that is shaken through a screen. Not a pebble will fall to the ground.All the sinners among my people will be killed by swords. They say,‘ Nothing bad will ever happen to us.’“ The time will come when I will set up David’s fallen shelter. I will repair its broken walls. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be.Then my people will take control of those who are left alive in Edom. They will also possess all the nations that belong to me,” announces the Lord. He will do all these things.“ The days are coming,” announces the Lord.“ At that time those who plow the land will catch up with those who harvest the crops. Those who stomp on grapes will catch up with those who plant the vines. Fresh wine will drip from the mountains. It will flow down from all the hills.I will bring my people Israel back home. I will bless them with great success again. They will rebuild the destroyed cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink the wine they produce. They will make gardens and eat their fruit.I will plant Israel in their own land. They will never again be removed from the land I have given them,” says the Lord your God.

That promised son will stand firm and be a shepherd for his flock. The Lord will give him the strength to do it. The Lord his God will give him the authority to rule. His people will live safely. His greatness will reach from one end of the earth to the other.And he will be our peace when the Assyrians attack our land. They will march through our forts. But we will raise up against them many shepherds. We’ll send out against them as many commanders as we need to.They will use their swords to rule over Assyria. They’ll rule the land of Nimrod with swords that are ready to strike. The Assyrians will march across our borders and attack our land. But the promised ruler will save us from them.Jacob’s people who are still left alive will be scattered among many nations. They will be like dew the Lord has sent. Dew doesn’t depend on any human being. They will be like rain that falls on the grass. Rain doesn’t wait for someone to give it orders.

“ Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel. Tell them,‘ Mountains of Israel, listen to the Lord’ s message.The Lord and King says,“ Your enemies made fun of you. They bragged,‘ The hills you lived in for a long time belong to us now.’ ” ’Ezekiel, prophesy. Say,‘ The Lord and King says,“ Your enemies destroyed you. They crushed you from every side. So the rest of the nations took over your land. People talked about you. They told lies about you.” ’ ”Mountains of Israel, listen to the message of the Lord and King. He speaks to you mountains, hills, canyons and valleys. He speaks to you destroyed cities and deserted towns. The rest of the nations around you took away from you everything of value. They made fun of you.So the Lord and King says,“ I am very angry with those nations. I have spoken against them and the whole land of Edom. They were very happy when they took over my land. Deep down inside them, they hated Israel. They wanted to take its grasslands.Ezekiel, prophesy about the land of Israel. Speak to the mountains, hills, canyons and valleys. Tell them,‘ The Lord and King says,“ I have a jealous anger against the nations. They have laughed at you.”So the Lord and King says,“ I raise my hand and make a promise. I promise that the nations around you will also be laughed at.“‘ “Mountains of Israel, you will produce branches and bear fruit for my people Israel. They will come home soon.I am concerned about you. I will do good things for you. Farmers will plow your ground. They will plant seeds in it.I will cause many people to live in Israel. The towns will no longer be empty. Their broken- down houses will be rebuilt.I will cause many people and animals to live in you, Israel. They will have many babies. I will cause people to make their homes in your towns, just as I did in the past. I will help you succeed more than ever before. Then you will know that I am the Lord.I will let my people Israel live there again. They will possess you. They will receive you as their own. You will never take their children away from them again.” ’ ”The Lord and King says,“ People say to you mountains,‘ You destroy people. You let your nation’s children be taken away.’But I will not let you destroy people anymore. I will no longer let your nation’s children be taken away,” announces the Lord and King.“ You will not have to listen to the nations laughing at you anymore. People will no longer make fun of you. You will not let your nation fall,” announces the Lord and King.Another message from the Lord came to me. The Lord said,“ Son of man, the people of Israel used to live in their own land. But they made it‘ unclean’ because of how they acted and the way they lived. To me they were‘ unclean’ like a woman having her monthly period.They spilled people’s blood in the land. They made the land‘ unclean’ by worshiping other gods. So I poured out my great anger on them.I scattered them among the nations. I sent them to other countries. I judged them based on how they acted and on how they lived.They treated my name as if it were not holy. They did it everywhere they went among the nations. People said about them,‘ They are the Lord’ s people. But they were forced to leave his land.’I was concerned about my holy name. The people of Israel treated it as if it were not holy. They did it everywhere they went among the nations.“ So tell the Israelites,‘ The Lord and King speaks. He says,“ People of Israel, I will not take action for your benefit. Instead, I will act for the honor of my holy name. You have treated it as if it were not holy. You did it everywhere you went among the nations.But I will show everyone how holy my great name is. You have treated it as if it were not holy. So I will use you to prove to the nations how holy I am. Then they will know that I am the Lord,” announces the Lord and King.“‘ “I will take you out of the nations. I will gather you together from all the countries. I will bring you back into your own land.I will sprinkle pure water on you. Then you will be‘ clean.’ I will make you completely pure and‘ clean.’ I will take all the statues of your gods away from you.I will give you new hearts. I will give you a new spirit that is faithful to me. I will remove your stubborn hearts from you. I will give you hearts that obey me.I will put my Spirit in you. I will make you want to obey my rules. I want you to be careful to keep my laws.Then you will live in the land I gave your people of long ago. You will be my people. And I will be your God.I will save you from all your‘ uncleanness.’ I will give you plenty of grain. You will have more than enough. So you will never be hungry again.I will multiply the fruit on your trees. I will increase the crops in your fields. Then the nations will no longer make fun of you because you are hungry.You will remember your evil ways and the sinful things you have done. You will hate yourselves because you have sinned so much. I also hate your evil practices.I want you to know that I am not doing those things for your benefit,” announces the Lord and King.“ People of Israel, you should be ashamed of yourselves! Your conduct has brought dishonor to you.” ’ ”The Lord and King says,“ I will make you pure from all your sins. On that day I will give you homes in your towns again. Your broken- down houses will be rebuilt.The dry and empty land will be farmed again. Everyone who passes through it will see that it is no longer empty.They will say,‘ This land was completely destroyed. But now it’s like the Garden of Eden. The cities were full of broken- down buildings. They were destroyed and empty. But now they have high walls around them. And people live in them.’Then the nations that remain around you will know that I have rebuilt what was once destroyed. I have planted again the fields that were once empty. I have spoken. And I will do this. I am the Lord.”The Lord and King says,“ Once again I will answer Israel’s prayer. Here is what I will do for them. I will multiply them as if they were sheep.

I commanded my servants the prophets what to say. I told them what I planned to do. But your people refused to obey me. So I had to punish them.“ Then they had a change of heart. They said,‘ The Lord who rules over all has punished us because of how we have lived. He was fair and right to do that. He has done to us just what he decided to do.’ ”

On that day“ Holy to the Lord” will be carved on the bells of the horses. The cooking pots in the Lord’ s temple will be just like the sacred bowls in front of the altar for burnt offerings.Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be set apart to the Lord. All those who come to offer sacrifices will get some of the pots and cook in them. At that time there won’t be any Canaanites in the Lord’ s temple. He is the Lord who rules over all.

A second angel followed him. He said,“‘ Fallen! Babylon the Great has fallen!’( Isaiah 21:9) The city of Babylon made all the nations drink the strong wine of her terrible sins.”A third angel followed them. He said in a loud voice,“ There will be trouble for anyone who worships the beast and its statue! There will be trouble for anyone who has its mark on their forehead or their hand!They, too, will drink the wine of God’s great anger. His wine has been poured full strength into the cup of his anger. They will be burned with flaming sulfur. The holy angels and the Lamb will see it happen.The smoke of their terrible suffering will rise for ever and ever. Day and night, there will be no rest for anyone who worships the beast and its statue. There will be no rest for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”God’s people need to be very patient. They are the ones who obey God’s commands. And they remain faithful to Jesus.Then I heard a voice from heaven.“ Write this,” it said.“ Blessed are the dead who die as believers in the Lord from now on.”“ Yes,” says the Holy Spirit.“ They will rest from their labor. What they have done will not be forgotten.”I looked, and there in front of me was a white cloud. Sitting on the cloud was one who looked“ like a son of man.”( Daniel 7:13) He wore a gold crown on his head. In his hand was a sharp, curved blade for cutting grain.

“ Son of man, prophesy against Gog. Tell him,‘ The Lord and King says,“ Gog, I am against you. You are the chief prince of Meshek and Tubal.But I will turn you around. I will drag you along. I will bring you from the far north. I will send you against the mountains of Israel.Then I will knock your bow out of your left hand. I will make your arrows drop from your right hand.You will fall dead on the mountains of Israel. You and all your troops will die there. So will the nations that join you. I will feed you to all kinds of birds that eat dead bodies. So they and the wild animals will eat you up.You will fall dead in the open fields. I have spoken,” announces the Lord and King.“ I will send fire on the land of Magog. It will burn up the people who live in safety on the coast. So they will know that I am the Lord.“‘ “I will make my holy name known among my people Israel. I will no longer let them treat my name as if it were not holy. Then the nations will know that I am the Holy One in Israel. I am the Lord.The day I will judge you is coming. You can be sure of it,” announces the Lord and King.“ It is the day I have spoken about.“‘ “At that time those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and light a fire. They will use it to burn up the weapons. That includes small and large shields. It also includes bows and arrows, war clubs and spears. It will take seven years to burn all of them up.People will not gather wood from the fields. They will not cut down the forests. Instead, they will burn the weapons. And they will rob those who robbed them. They will steal from those who stole from them,” announces the Lord and King.“‘ “Gog, at that time I will bury you in a grave in Israel. It will be in the valley where people travel east of the Dead Sea. It will block the path of travelers. That’s because you and your huge armies will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Gog’s Armies.“‘ “It will take seven months for the Israelites to bury the bodies. They will do this to make the land‘ clean’ again.All the people in the land will bury them. The day that I show how glorious I am will be a time to remember.” This is what the Lord and King announces.“ People will keep being hired to make the land‘ clean’ again. They will go all through it. They and others will bury any bodies lying on the ground.“‘ “After the seven months they will search even more carefully.As they go through the land here is what they’ll do. When anyone sees a bone, they will put a marker beside it. Then those who dig the graves will take the bone to the Valley of Gog’s Armies. There they will bury it.That is how they will make the land‘ clean’ again.” ’ ” Also a town called Gog’s Armies is near there.The Lord and King said to me,“ Son of man, speak to every kind of bird. Call out to all the wild animals. Tell them,‘ Gather together. Come from everywhere. Gather around the sacrifice I am preparing for you. It is the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat human bodies and drink human blood.You will eat the bodies of mighty men. You will drink the blood of the princes of the earth. You will eat their bodies and drink their blood. You will do this as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls. You will enjoy it as if you were eating the fattest animals from Bashan.So I am preparing a sacrifice for you. You will eat fat until you are completely full. You will drink blood until you are drunk.At my table you will eat horses, riders, mighty men and soldiers until you are full,’ announces the Lord and King.“‘ I will show all the nations my glory. They will see how I punish them when I use my power against them.From that time on, the people of Israel will know that I am the Lord their God.The nations will know that the people of Israel were taken away as prisoners because they sinned against me. They were not faithful to me. So I turned my face away from them. I handed them over to their enemies. All of them were killed by swords.I punished them because they were“ unclean.” They did many things that were wrong. So I turned my face away from them.’ ”The Lord and King says,“ I will now cause the people of Jacob to recover from my judgment. I will show my tender love for all the people of Israel. I will make sure that my name is kept holy.My people will forget the shameful things they have done. They will not remember all the ways they were unfaithful to me. They used to live in safety in their land. At that time no one made them afraid.So I will bring them back from the nations. I will gather them from the countries of their enemies. And I will use them to prove to many nations how holy I am.Then they will know that I am the Lord their God. I let the nations take my people away as prisoners. But now I will bring them back to their own land. I will not leave anyone behind.I will no longer turn my face away from the people of Israel. I will pour out my Spirit on them,” announces the Lord and King.