Future Glory for Jerusalem
1“Sing, O childless woman,you who have never given birth!Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,you who have never been in labor.For the desolate woman now has more childrenthan the woman who lives with her husband,”says the LORD.
2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams.Your descendants will occupy other nationsand resettle the ruined cities.
4“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.You will no longer remember the shame of your youthand the sorrows of widowhood.
5 For your Creator will be your husband;the LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,the God of all the earth.
6 For the LORD has called you back from your grief—as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,but with great compassion I will take you back.
8 In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while.But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9“Just as I swore in the time of Noahthat I would never again let a flood cover the earth,so now I swearthat I will never again be angry and punish you.
10 For the mountains may moveand the hills disappear,but even then my faithful love for you will remain.My covenant of blessing will never be broken,”says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
11“O storm-battered city,troubled and desolate!I will rebuild you with precious jewelsand make your foundations from lapis lazuli.
12 I will make your towers of sparkling rubies,your gates of shining gems,and your walls of precious stones.
13 I will teach all your children,and they will enjoy great peace.
14 You will be secure under a government that is just and fair.Your enemies will stay far away.You will live in peace,and terror will not come near.
15 If any nation comes to fight you,it is not because I sent them.Whoever attacks you will go down in defeat.
16“I have created the blacksmithwho fans the coals beneath the forgeand makes the weapons of destruction.And I have created the armies that destroy.
17 But in that coming dayno weapon turned against you will succeed.You will silence every voiceraised up to accuse you.These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD;their vindication will come from me.I, the LORD, have spoken!
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