Joy returns to the streets

10Thus says the LORD: Yet in this place, of which you say, ‘It is a waste, without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall again be heard

11the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, the sound of the bridegroom and the sound of the bride, the sound of those saying, ‘Give thanks to Yahweh of hosts, for Yahweh is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,’ and of those bringing a thank offering into the house of Yahweh. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says Yahweh.

12Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Yet again there will be in this place, which is desolate, without man or beast, and in all its cities, a pasture of shepherds, where they make flocks lie down.

13In the cities of the hill country, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the Negeb, and in the land of Benjamin, and around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks will again pass under the hands of the one who counts them, says Yahweh.