[1] Then I looked up, and I saw a man holding a rope for measuring things.
[2] I asked him, “Where are you going?” He said to me, “I am going to measure Jerusalem, to see how wide and how long it is.”
[3] Then the angel that was speaking to me left. And another angel went out to talk to him.
[4] He said to him, “Run and tell that young man that ˻Jerusalem will be too big to measure˼. Tell him these things: 'Jerusalem will be a city without walls. Why? Because there will be too many people and animals living there.’
[5] The Lord says, 'I will be a wall of fire around her, protecting her. And to bring glory to that city, I will live there.’” The Lord says,
[6] “Hurry! Leave the land in the North in a hurry! Yes, it is true that I scattered your people in every direction.
[7] You people from Zion now live in Babylon. Escape! Run away from that city!”
[8] The Lord All-Powerful said ˻these things˼. He sent me to the nations that stole things from you. He sent me to bring ˻you˼ honor! Why? Because hurting you is like hurting the pupil of God’s eye.
[9] ˻The people of Babylon took my people and made them slaves.˼ But I will beat them, and they will become the slaves of my people. And then you will know that the Lord All-Powerful sent me.”
[10] The Lord says, “Zion, be happy! Why? Because I am coming. And I will live in your city.
[11] At that time, people from many nations will come to me. They will become my people. And I will live in your city.” And then you will know that the Lord All-Powerful sent me.
[12] The Lord will again choose Jerusalem to be his special city. Judah will be his share of the holy land.
[13] Everyone, be quiet! The Lord is coming out of his holy house.