7. “Sword, hit the shepherd.Attack the man who is my friend,”says the Lord of heaven’s armies.“Kill the shepherd,and the sheep will scatter.I will punish the little ones.”
8. The Lord says, “Two-thirds of the peoplethrough all the land will die.And one-third will be left.
9. I will test the ones left with fire.I will purify them like silver.I will test them like gold.Then they will call on me.And I will answer them.I will say, ‘You are my people.’And they will say, ‘The Lord is our God.’”