A message of encouragement for Jerusalem

7 It is a wonderful thing when messengers [MTY] arrive on the mountains/hills,

bringing good news,

the news about God giving us peace and saving us,

the news that the God to whom we Israeli people belong is now ruling/king!

8 The watchmen who are guarding the city will shout and sing joyfully,

because while they are watching

they will see Yahweh returning to Jerusalem.

9 Jerusalem has been ruined,

but the people who are there now should start to sing joyfully,

because Yahweh will encourage his people;

he will set his people free and bring them back to Jerusalem.

10 Yahweh will show all the nations that he is holy and powerful.

People in the most remote/distant places on earth will know

that he has rescued his people.

11 So, leave the places where you were taken to when you were captured,

where everything is unacceptable to God.

You men who carry the items used for the worship of Yahweh,

leave there and return to Jerusalem,

and purify yourselves in order to be acceptable to worship God.

12 But it will not be necessary for you to leave suddenly,

to flee in panic,

because Yahweh will ◄go in front of/lead► you;

and he will also protect you from being attacked at the rear while you travel.