Isaiah 49:9-26 ▼

9 to say to the prisoners, ‘Go forth!’ To those in the darkness, ‘Be uncovered!’ Along the pathways they will graze, and on all the bare slopes will be their pastures.

10 They will not hunger and they will not thirst; the sun and the scorching heat will not strike them; for the One having compassion on them will lead them, and beside the springs of water He will guide them.

11 And I will make all My mountains as a road, and My highways will be raised up.

12 Behold, these will come from afar; and behold, these from the north and the west, and these from the land of Aswan.

13 Sing out, O heavens; and rejoice, O earth; and break out, O mountains, into singing! For YHWH has comforted His people, and He will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

14 And Zion said: “YHWH has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.”

15 “Can a woman forget her infant, having no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these she may forget, and I will not forget you.

16 Behold, on the palms I have inscribed you; your walls are before Me continually.

17 Your builders are hurrying; those overthrowing you and those destroying you will go out from you.

18 Lift up your eyes round about, and see: All of them have gathered together, and come to you! By the life of Me,” says YHWH, “Surely, you will wear all of them as an ornament, and bind them on like a bride.

19 For your ruins and desolate places, and the land of your devastation, surely now will be narrow for its dweller, and those who devoured you will be far away.

20 Again the sons of your childlessness will say in your ears: ‘The place is narrow for me! Make room for me that I may dwell!’

21 And you will say in your heart, ‘Who has borne these for me, and I am childless and barren, exiled and rejected? And who has raised these? Behold, I was left alone by myself; these—where are they from?

22 Thus says the Lord YHWH: “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, and to the peoples I will raise up My banner; and they will bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters will be carried on the shoulders.

23 And kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers; facedown to the earth they will bow low to you, and they will lick up the dust of your feet. And you will know that I am YHWH; those waiting for Me will not be ashamed.”

24 Can the prey be taken from the mighty one, or the captives of a tyrant be delivered?

25 For thus says YHWH: “Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the prey of a tyrant will be given escape; and your contender I will contend with, and your sons I will save.

26 And your oppressors I will make eat their own flesh; like the sweet wine, they will get drunk on their own blood! And all flesh will know that I am YHWH, your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”