Isaiah 51
Israel Exhorted
Who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn
And to the quarry from which you were dug.
And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain;
When he was but one I called him,
Then I blessed him and multiplied him.”
He will comfort all her waste places.
And her wilderness He will make like Eden,
And her desert like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.
And give ear to Me, O My nation;
For a law will go forth from Me,
And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.
And My arms will judge the peoples;
The coastlands will wait for Me,
And for My arm they will wait expectantly.
Then look to the earth beneath;
For the sky will vanish like smoke,
And the earth will wear out like a garment
And its inhabitants will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be forever,
And My righteousness will not wane.
A people in whose heart is My law;
Do not fear the reproach of man,
Nor be dismayed at their revilings.
And the grub will eat them like wool.
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation to all generations.”
Awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago.
Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces,
Who pierced the dragon?
The waters of the great deep;
Who made the depths of the sea a pathway
For the redeemed to cross over?
And come with joyful shouting to Zion,
And everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They will obtain gladness and joy,
And sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies
And of the son of man who is made like grass,
Who stretched out the heavens
And laid the foundations of the earth,
That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor,
As he makes ready to destroy?
But where is the fury of the oppressor?
14The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking.
15For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the LORD of hosts is His name).
16“I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
You who have drunk from the LORD’S hand the cup of His anger;
The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs.
Nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared.
Who will mourn for you?
The devastation and destruction, famine and sword;
How shall I comfort you?
They lie helpless at the head of every street,
Like an antelope in a net,
Full of the wrath of the LORD,
The rebuke of your God.
Who are drunk, but not with wine:
Who contends for His people,
“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,
The chalice of My anger;
You will never drink it again.
Who have said to you, ‘Lie down that we may walk over you.’
You have even made your back like the ground
And like the street for those who walk over it.”