“‘I am extremely angry
With the nations
That are at ease.
While only a little angry,
They made the disaster worse.’
Therefore,
Thus says Yahweh.
‘I have returned to Jerusalem
With compassion.
My house shall be built in it.’
Says Yahweh of hosts.
‘The measuring lines
Shall be stretched out
Over Jerusalem.
Proclaim further!
Thus says Yahweh of hosts.
My cities
Shall again overflow
With prosperity.
Yahweh will again comfort Zion.
He will again choose Jerusalem.’”
While Yahweh was angry at the various easy-going nations, he was going to be compassionate to Jerusalem. The other countries had made matters worse. Now Yahweh was going to return to Jerusalem with compassion for its people. Yahweh of hosts was going to spread out his measuring lines over Jerusalem. He wanted them to proclaim that the cities of Yahweh would again overflow with prosperity. Yahweh has chosen Jerusalem and Zion as his home.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 