1This is what Yahweh said:
2It is as though I have continually held out my arms to show that I am ready to help my people who rebel against me,
3They boldly continue to do things that cause me to be angry:
4They secretly remain awake at night in burial caves,
5Then they say to others,
6I have written a record of all the evil things that they have done.
7for the sins that they and their ancestors have committed.
8This is also what Yahweh said:
9I will spare some of the descendants of Jacob
10Then all the land from the Sharon Plain near the Mediterranean Sea and as far east as Achor Valley near Jericho will become pastureland
11But it will be different for you who have abandoned me,
12It is I, not Meni, who will decide/say what will happen to you;
13I, Yahweh the Lord, will give to those who worship and obey me things to eat and drink,
14Those who worship and obey me will sing joyfully,
15Those whom I have chosen will use your names when they curse people;
16The people in this land have had many troubles,
17“Note this: Some day I will create a new heaven and a new earth.
18Be glad and always rejoice because of what I will do:
19I will rejoice about Jerusalem,
20No child will die when it is still an infant;
21My people will build houses and then live in them.
22As for the houses that they build, no one will take those houses away from them and live in them.
23They will not work hard in vain,
24Before they call to me to help them, I will answer;
25No one will be harmed or injured anywhere on Zion, my sacred hill: