⁷ “Before she goes into labor,^(A)
    she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
    she delivers a son.^(B)
8 Who has ever heard of such things?
    Who has ever seen^(C) things like this?
Can a country be born in a day^(D)
    or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
    than she gives birth to her children.^(E)
9 Do I bring to the moment of birth^(F)
    and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
    when I bring to delivery?” says your God.
¹⁰ “Rejoice^(G) with Jerusalem and be glad for her,
    all you who love^(H) her;
rejoice greatly with her,
    all you who mourn^(I) over her.

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;^(A)
    there you will be rescued.
There the Lord will redeem^(B) you
    out of the hand of your enemies.