Daily Bread

²³ This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “When I bring them back from captivity,^[a](A) the people in the land of Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: ‘The Lord bless^(B) you, you prosperous city,^(C) you sacred mountain.’^{(D) 24} People will live^(E) together in Judah and all its towns—farmers and those who move about with their flocks.^{(F) 25} I will refresh the weary^(G) and satisfy the faint.”^(H)

²⁶ At this I awoke^(I) and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.

²⁷ “The days are coming,”^(J) declares the Lord, “when I will plant^(K) the kingdoms of Israel and Judah with the offspring of people and of animals. ²⁸ Just as I watched^(L) over them to uproot^(M) and tear down, and to overthrow, destroy and bring disaster,^(N) so I will watch over them to build and to plant,”^(O) declares the Lord. ²⁹ “In those days people will no longer say,

³⁰ Instead, everyone will die for their own sin;^(R) whoever eats sour grapes—their own teeth will be set on edge.

³⁵ This is what the Lord says,

³⁷ This is what the Lord says:

³⁸ “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when this city will be rebuilt^(AN) for me from the Tower of Hananel^(AO) to the Corner Gate.^{(AP) 39} The measuring line^(AQ) will stretch from there straight to the hill of Gareb and then turn to Goah. ⁴⁰ The whole valley^(AR) where dead bodies^(AS) and ashes are thrown, and all the terraces out to the Kidron Valley^(AT) on the east as far as the corner of the Horse Gate,^(AU) will be holy^(AV) to the Lord. The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.”