and said to him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem will be inhabited like unwalled villages, for the multitude of men and livestock in her midst.

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine inside your house, your children like olive plants around your table.

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears Jehovah.

that our sons may be as plants brought up in their youth; that our daughters may be like corner stones, carved in the form of a palace;

that our oxen may be laden; that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets.

And out of them shall come forth thanksgiving, and the voice of those who make merry. And I will multiply them, and they shall not diminish; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Their children shall also be as they were before, and their congregation shall be established before Me, and I will punish all who oppress them.

Behold, the days are coming, says Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and with the seed of beasts.

the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who shall say, Praise Jehovah of Hosts, for Jehovah is good, for His mercy is eternal; and the voice of those who shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of Jehovah. For I will cause the captives of the land to return, as at the first, says Jehovah.

Arise, cry out in the night. At the beginning of the watches, pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift up your hands toward Him for the life of your children who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

and saying: We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament.