Isaiah 66:2-14

Isaiah 66:2-14 HCSB

My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the LORD’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at My word. One slaughters an ox, one kills a man; one sacrifices a lamb, one breaks a dog’s neck; one offers a grain offering, one offers pig’s blood; one offers incense, one praises an idol — all these have chosen their ways and delight in their detestable practices. So I will choose their punishment, and I will bring on them what they dread because I called and no one answered; I spoke and they didn’t hear; they did what was evil in My sight and chose what I didn’t delight in. You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the LORD: “Your brothers who hate and exclude you because of Me have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified so that we can see your joy! ’ But they will be put to shame.” A sound of uproar from the city! A voice from the temple — the voice of the LORD, paying back His enemies what they deserve! Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth; before she was in pain, she delivered a boy. Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day or a nation be delivered in an instant? Yet as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her sons. “Will I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it? ” says the LORD; “or will I who deliver, close the womb? ” says your God. Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her — so that you may nurse and be satisfied from her comforting breast and drink deeply and delight yourselves from her glorious breasts. For this is what the LORD says: I will make peace flow to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flood; you will nurse and be carried on her hip and bounced on her lap. As a mother comforts her son, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem. You will see, you will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; then the LORD’s power will be revealed to His servants, but He will show His wrath against His enemies.