11 They reported their findings to the Angel of God in the birch grove: “We have looked over the whole earth and all is well. Everything’s under control.”

12 The Angel of God reported back, “O God-of-the-Angel-Armies, how long are you going to stay angry with Jerusalem and the cities of Judah? When are you going to let up? Isn’t seventy years long enough?”

13-15 God reassured the Angel-Messenger—good words, comforting words—who then addressed me: “Tell them this. Tell them that God-of-the-Angel-Armies has spoken. This is God’s Message: ‘I care deeply for Jerusalem and Zion. I feel very possessive of them. But I’m thoroughly angry with the godless nations that act as if they own the whole world. I was only moderately angry earlier, but now they’ve gone too far. I’m going into action.

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11 And they reported to the angel of the Lord(A) who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.”(B)

12 Then the angel of the Lord said, “Lord Almighty, how long(C) will you withhold mercy(D) from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah,(E) which you have been angry with these seventy(F) years?” 13 So the Lord spoke(G) kind and comforting words(H) to the angel who talked with me.(I)

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