Midrasch zu Zechariah 7:9

"and my wrath shall burn": R. Yishmael says: Burning of wrath is mentioned here, and elsewhere (Devarim 11:17) "And the wrath of the L rd shall burn in you." Just as there, withholding of rain and exile are indicated, here, too, these (are understood). And just as here "by the sword," so, there by the sword. "and your wives will be widows, and your children, orphans": From "and I shall kill you by the sword," do I not know that your wives will be widows, and your children, orphans? Why need this be written? (They will be widows) as in (II Samuel 20:3) "And they were bound up in living widowhood (never to remarry) until the day they died." Now does this not follow a fortiori, viz.: If when you do not do what is just, your wives will be widows, then, if you do what is just, how much more so will you not be widows, etc.! As it is written (Zechariah 7:9) "Judge a true judgment," (Ibid. 8:16) "Truth and a judgment of peace shall you judge in your gates," (Isaiah 56:1) "Thus said the L rd: Guard justice and do righteousness, for My salvation is sure to come" — how much more so (if you do this,) your wives will not be widows, and your children, orphans! And thus is it written (Devarim 6:2) "So that you fear the L rd your G d, etc.", and (Ibid. 11:19) "And you shall teach them to your sons," followed by (21) "so that your days be prolonged," and (Isaiah 65:22) "For as the days of the tree (of life) will be the days of My people", (Ibid. 23) "they will not labor in vain; they will not give birth for panic (i.e., to have their children die in their lifetime). For they (their children) will be seed blessed of the L rd, and their children (will always be) with them", and (Ibid. 48:19) "and your seed will be as the sand, and your offspring as its (the sea's) offspring (in its abundance)", (Ibid. 66:22) "for just as the new heavens and the new earth which I will create (in those days) will endure before Me … so will endure (eternally) your children and your name (Israel)", and (Ibid. 59:20) "And the redeemer (the Messiah) will come to Zion, and to those who repent of sin in Yaakov", and (Ibid. 21) "And now, this is My covenant with them, says the L rd: My spirit which is upon you, etc." How much more so will your days be prolonged in this world and you will see children and children of children, and you will merit life in the world to come!