Isaiah 66:1-13 ▼

1 Thus says the LORD: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place?

2 All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word.

3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human being; whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering, like one who offers swine’s blood; whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and in their abominations they take delight;

4 I also will choose to mock them, and bring upon them what they fear; because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my sight, and chose what did not please me.

5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: Your own people who hate you and reject you for my name’s sake have said, “Let the LORD be glorified, so that we may see your joy”; but it is they who shall be put to shame.

6 Listen, an uproar from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, dealing retribution to his enemies!

7 Before she was in labor she gave birth; before her pain came upon her she delivered a son.

8 Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be delivered in one moment? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor she delivered her children.

9 Shall I open the womb and not deliver? says the LORD; shall I, the one who delivers, shut the womb? says your God.

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

11 that you may nurse and be satisfied from her consoling breast; that you may drink deeply with delight from her glorious bosom.

12 For thus says the LORD: I will extend prosperity to her like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm, and dandled on her knees.

13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.