Isaiah 40:1-15

Comfort for God’s People 1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD ’s hand double for all her sins.

3A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD Or A voice of one calling in the wilderness: / “Prepare the way for the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Hebrew; Septuagint make straight the paths of our God

4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

6A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

9You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, Or Zion, bringer of good news, / go up on a high mountain. / Jerusalem, bringer of good news lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!”

10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

11He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

12Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

13Who can fathom the Spirit Or mind of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?

14Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?

15Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.