Add parallel Print Page Options

Why the Israelites Must Go to Babylon

Now, why do you cry so loudly?
    Is your king gone?
Have you lost your helper,
    so that you are in pain, like a woman trying to give birth?
10 People of Jerusalem, strain and be in pain.
    Be like a woman trying to give birth,
because now you must leave the city
    and live in the field.
You will go to Babylon,
    but you will be saved from that place.
The Lord will go there
    and buy you back from your enemies.

11 But now many nations
    have come to fight against you,
saying, “Let’s destroy Jerusalem.
    We will look at her and be glad we have defeated her.”

Read full chapter

Why do you now cry aloud—
    have you no king[a](A)?
Has your ruler[b] perished,
    that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?(B)
10 Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion,
    like a woman in labor,
for now you must leave the city
    to camp in the open field.
You will go to Babylon;(C)
    there you will be rescued.
There the Lord will redeem(D) you
    out of the hand of your enemies.

11 But now many nations
    are gathered against you.
They say, “Let her be defiled,
    let our eyes gloat(E) over Zion!”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Micah 4:9 Or King
  2. Micah 4:9 Or Ruler