Isaiah 66:1-13 ▼

1 THUS says the LORD: Heaven is my throne and the earth my footstool; what is the house that you build for me? And what is the place of my rest?

2 For all those things has my own hand made, and all those things belong to me, says the LORD; and to whom shall I look, and where shall I dwell? But to him who is calm and humble, and trembles at my word.

3 He who kills an ox is like him who slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is like him who kills a dog; he who offers a meal offering is like him who offers swine's blood; he who burns incense is like him who blesses an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their idols.

4 I also will allow them to be humiliated and will recompense them according to their works; because when I called, none did answer; when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did evil in my sight, and chose the things in which I delighted not.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word; say to your brethren who hate you and who despise you for my name's sake, Let the LORD be glorified, and rejoice in your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

6 A voice of tumult comes from the city, a voice from the temple, the voice of the LORD who renders recompense to his enemies!

7 Before she travailed, she gave birth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a male child.

8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born in an hour? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says the LORD; perhaps it is not I who causes to bring forth and who shuts the womb? says the LORD your God.

10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice in joy with her, all you who mourn over her,

11 That you may suck and be satisfied with the comfort of her breast; that you may milk out and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

12 For thus says the LORD: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, like an overflowing torrent; and you shall suck the glory of the Gentiles; and you shall be carried on the litters and be dandled upon the knees;

13 As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.