9. I want you to say to the prisoners, 'Come out.' Tell those who are in their dark cells, 'You are free!' "On their way home they will eat beside the roads. They will find plenty to eat on every bare hill.
10. They will not get hungry or thirsty. The heat from the desert sun will not beat down on them. The One who shows his tender love to them will guide them. Like a shepherd, he will lead them beside springs of water.
11. I will make roads across the mountains. I will build wide roads for my people.
12. They will come from far away. Some of them will come from the north. Others will come from the west. Still others will come from Aswan in the south."
13. Shout with joy, you heavens! Be glad, you earth! Burst into song, you mountains! The Lord will comfort his people. He will show his tender love to those who are suffering.
14. But the city of Zion said, "The Lord has deserted me. The Lord has forgotten me."
15. The Lord answers, "Can a mother forget the baby who is nursing at her breast? Can she stop showing her tender love to the child who was born to her? She might forget her child. But I will not forget you.
16. I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Your walls are never out of my sight.
17. Your people will hurry back. Those who destroyed you so completely will leave you.
18. Look up. Look all around you. All of your people are getting together to come back to you. You can be sure that I live," announces the Lord. "And you can be just as sure that your people will be like decorations you will wear. Like a bride, you will wear them proudly.
19. "Zion, you were destroyed. Your land was left empty. It was turned into a dry and empty desert. But now you will be too small to hold all of your people. And those who destroyed you will be far away.