Your people will rebuild what has long been in ruins, building again on the old foundations. You will be known as the people who rebuilt the walls, who restored the ruined houses."

The LORD says, "A day is coming when I will restore the kingdom of David, which is like a house fallen into ruins. I will repair its walls and restore it. I will rebuild it and make it as it was long ago.

Simon has just explained how God first showed his care for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people to belong to him.

'After this I will return, says the Lord, and restore the kingdom of David. I will rebuild its ruins and make it strong again.

Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come.

We will not keep them from our children; we will tell the next generation about the LORD's power and his great deeds and the wonderful things he has done.

Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.

Tell your children about it; they will tell their children, who in turn will tell the next generation.