This verse begins the second paragraph of the section, in which the prophet addresses the people to encourage them in their hope in the Lord. Again the people are addressed as collective singular, and again this is translated with English plural forms in Good News Translation. Good News Translation has added the words People of Jerusalem in order to make clear to whom this is addressed. The promise is that the time to rebuild the city walls is coming. This actually took place under Nehemiah, probably beginning about 445 B.C. In areas where walled cities are unknown, it may be sufficient to say “the defenses of your city.”

Not only will the city itself be restored, but also At that time the territory held by the Lord’s people will be enlarged. Perhaps this means that they will be given back all the lands ruled by King Solomon when the monarchy was at the height of its power. In languages with no passive forms, this may be restructured to “the territory you hold will be much greater than it is now.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. et al. A Handbook on Micah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1978, 1982, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .