8-10 God’s Message:

“But just as one bad apple doesn’t ruin the whole bushel,
    there are still plenty of good apples left.
So I’ll preserve those in Israel who obey me.
    I won’t destroy the whole nation.
I’ll bring out my true children from Jacob
    and the heirs of my mountains from Judah.
My chosen will inherit the land,
    my servants will move in.
The lush valley of Sharon in the west
    will be a pasture for flocks,
And in the east, the valley of Achor,
    a place for herds to graze.
These will be for the people
    who bothered to reach out to me, who wanted me in their lives,
    who actually bothered to look for me.

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This is what the Lord says:

“As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes(A)
    and people say, ‘Don’t destroy it,
    there is still a blessing in it,’
so will I do in behalf of my servants;(B)
    I will not destroy them all.
I will bring forth descendants(C) from Jacob,
    and from Judah those who will possess(D) my mountains;
my chosen(E) people will inherit them,
    and there will my servants live.(F)
10 Sharon(G) will become a pasture for flocks,(H)
    and the Valley of Achor(I) a resting place for herds,
    for my people who seek(J) me.

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