2. My hands have made both heaven and earth;they and everything in them are mine.I, the lord, have spoken!“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,who tremble at my word.
3. But those who choose their own ways—delighting in their detestable sins—will not have their offerings accepted.When such people sacrifice a bull,it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice.When they sacrifice a lamb,it’s as though they had sacrificed a dog!When they bring an offering of grain,they might as well offer the blood of a pig.When they burn frankincense,it’s as if they had blessed an idol.
4. I will send them great trouble—all the things they feared.For when I called, they did not answer.When I spoke, they did not listen.They deliberately sinned before my very eyesand chose to do what they know I despise.”
5. Hear this message from the lord,all you who tremble at his words:“Your own people hate youand throw you out for being loyal to my name.‘Let the lord be honored!’ they scoff.‘Be joyful in him!’But they will be put to shame.
6. What is all the commotion in the city?What is that terrible noise from the Temple?It is the voice of the lordtaking vengeance against his enemies.
7. “Before the birth pains even begin,Jerusalem gives birth to a son.
8. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this?Who ever heard of such a thing?Has a nation ever been born in a single day?Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment?But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin,her children will be born.
9. Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birthand then not deliver it?” asks the lord.“No! I would never keep this nation from being born,”says your God.
10. “Rejoice with Jerusalem!Be glad with her, all you who love herand all you who mourn for her.
11. Drink deeply of her gloryeven as an infant drinks at its mother’s comforting breasts.”
12. This is what the lord says:“I will give Jerusalem a river of peace and prosperity.The wealth of the nations will flow to her.Her children will be nursed at her breasts,carried in her arms, and held on her lap.
13. I will comfort you there in Jerusalemas a mother comforts her child.”
14. When you see these things, your heart will rejoice.You will flourish like the grass!Everyone will see the lord’s hand of blessing on his servants—and his anger against his enemies.
15. See, the lord is coming with fire,and his swift chariots roar like a whirlwind.He will bring punishment with the fury of his angerand the flaming fire of his hot rebuke.
16. The lord will punish the world by fireand by his sword.He will judge the earth,and many will be killed by him.