Third vision: a measuring line

1This time I saw someone holding a measuring line, 2and I asked, “Where are you going?”

“To measure Jerusalem,” was the answer. “To find out how wide and long it is.”

3The angel who had spoken to me was leaving, when another angel came up to him 4and said, “Hurry! Tell that man with the measuring line that Jerusalem won't have any boundaries. It will be too full of people and animals even to have a wall. 5The LORD himself has promised to be a protective wall of fire surrounding Jerusalem, and he will be its shining glory in the heart of the city.”

A call to action

6The LORD says to his people, “Run! Escape from the land in the north, where I scattered you to the four winds. 7Leave Babylonia and hurry back to Zion.”

8Then the glorious LORD All-Powerful ordered me to say to the nations that had raided and robbed Zion:

Zion is as precious to the LORD as are his eyes. Whatever you do to Zion, you do to him. 9And so, he will put you in the power of your slaves, and they will raid and rob you. Then you will know that I am a prophet of the LORD All-Powerful.

10City of Zion, sing and celebrate! The LORD has promised to come and live with you. 11When he does, many nations will turn to him and become his people. At that time you will know that I am a prophet of the LORD All-Powerful. 12Then Judah will be his part of the holy land, and Jerusalem will again be his chosen city.

13Everyone, be silent!

The LORD is present

and moving about

in his holy place.