and the angel told me to proclaim what the LORD Almighty had said: "I have a deep love and concern for Jerusalem, my holy city,

So I have come back to Jerusalem to show mercy to the city. My Temple will be restored, and the city will be rebuilt."

They angered him with their heathen places of worship, and with their idols they made him furious.

God was angry when he saw it, so he rejected his people completely.

The LORD goes out to fight like a warrior; he is ready and eager for battle. He gives a war cry, a battle shout; he shows his power against his enemies.

God says, "For a long time I kept silent; I did not answer my people. But now the time to act has come; I cry out like a woman in labor.

He will wear justice like a coat of armor and saving power like a helmet. He will clothe himself with the strong desire to set things right and to punish and avenge the wrongs that people suffer.

I decided that the time to save my people had come; it was time to punish their enemies.

In my anger I trampled whole nations and shattered them. I poured out their lifeblood on the ground."

"I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken out in the heat of my anger against the surrounding nations, and especially against Edom. With glee and contempt they captured my land and took possession of its pastures.

"So prophesy to the land of Israel; tell the mountains, hills, brooks, and valleys what I, the Sovereign LORD, am saying in jealous anger because of the way the nations have insulted and humiliated them.

Then the LORD showed concern for his land; he had mercy on his people.

The LORD God tolerates no rivals; he punishes those who oppose him. In his anger he pays them back.

When he is angry, who can survive? Who can survive his terrible fury? He pours out his flaming anger; rocks crumble to dust before him.