1. Thus says the Lord:The heavens are my throne,the earth, my footstool.What house can you build for me?Where is the place of my rest?
2. My hand made all these thingswhen all of them came to be—oracle of the Lord.This is the one whom I approve:the afflicted one, crushed in spirit,who trembles at my word.
3. The one slaughtering an ox, striking a man,sacrificing a lamb, breaking a dog’s neck,Making an offering of pig’s blood,burning incense, honoring an idol—These have chosen their own ways,and taken pleasure in their own abominations.
4. I in turn will choose affliction for themand bring upon them what they fear.Because when I called, no one answered,when I spoke, no one listened.Because they did what was evil in my sight,and things I do not delight in they chose,
5. Hear the word of the Lord,you who tremble at his word!Your kin who hate youand cast you out because of my name say,“May the Lord show his glory,that we may see your joy”;but they shall be put to shame.
6. A voice roaring from the city,a voice from the temple;The voice of the Lordrendering recompense to his enemies!
7. Before she is in labor,she gives birth;Before her pangs come upon her,she delivers a male child.
8. Who ever heard of such a thing,or who ever saw the like?Can a land be brought forth in one day,or a nation be born in a single moment?Yet Zion was scarcely in laborwhen she bore her children.
9. Shall I bring a mother to the point of birth,and yet not let her child be born? says the Lord.Or shall I who bring to birthyet close her womb? says your God.
10. Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her,all you who love her;Rejoice with her in her joy,all you who mourn over her—
11. So that you may nurse and be satisfiedfrom her consoling breast;That you may drink with delightat her abundant breasts!
12. For thus says the Lord:I will spread prosperity over her like a river,like an overflowing torrent,the wealth of nations.You shall nurse, carried in her arms,cradled upon her knees;
13. As a mother comforts her child,so I will comfort you;in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.