"Thus saith the Lord; Again there shall be heard in this place, which ye say shall be desolate without man and without beast, even in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, . . . the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for His mercy endureth forever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.

Så siger Hærskarers Herre: På dette ødelagte sted, som er uden mennesker og kvæg, og i alle dets byer skal der atter være græsgange, hvor hyrder lader deres hjorde ligge; i bjerglandets, lavlandets og Sydlandets byer, i Benjamins land, i Jerusalems omegn og i Judas byer skal småkvæget atter gå forbi under tællerens hånd, siger Herren.