1. This is what the Lord says:Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house could you possibly build for Me?And what place could be My home?
2. My hand made all these things,and so they all came into being.This is the Lord’s declaration.I will look favorably on this kind of person:one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word.
3. One slaughters an ox, one kills a man;one sacrifices a lamb, one breaks a dog’s neck;one offers a grain offering, one offers pig’s blood;one offers incense, one praises an idol —all these have chosen their waysand delight in their detestable practices.
4. So I will choose their punishment,and I will bring on them what they dreadbecause I called and no one answered;I spoke and they didn’t hear;they did what was evil in My sightand chose what I didn’t delight in.
5. You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the Lord: “Your brothers who hate and exclude youbecause of Me have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorifiedso that we can see your joy! ’But they will be put to shame.”
6. A sound of uproar from the city!A voice from the temple —the voice of the Lord,paying back His enemies what they deserve!
7. Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth;before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
8. Who has heard of such a thing?Who has seen such things?Can a land be born in one dayor a nation be delivered in an instant?Yet as soon as Zion was in labor,she gave birth to her sons.
9. “Will I bring a baby to the point of birthand not deliver it? ”says the Lord;“or will I who deliver, close the womb? ”says your God.
10. Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her,all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her,all who mourn over her —