Through the Bible – Day 287

₁If you want to do right

and obey the LORD,

follow Abraham's example.

He was the rock from which

you were chipped.

₂God chose Abraham and Sarah

to be your ancestors.

The LORD blessed Abraham,

and from that one man

came many descendants.

₃Though Zion is in ruins,

the LORD will bring comfort,

and the city will be as lovely

as the garden of Eden

that he provided.

Then Zion will celebrate;

it will be thankful

and sing joyful songs.

₄The LORD says:

You are my people and nation!

So pay attention to me.

My teaching will cause justice

to shine like a light

for every nation.

₅Those who live across the sea

are eagerly waiting

for me to rescue them.

I am strong and ready;

soon I will come to save

and to rule all nations.

₆Look closely at the sky!

Stare at the earth.

The sky will vanish like smoke;

the earth will wear out

like clothes.

Everyone on this earth

will die like flies.

But my victory will last;

my saving power never ends.

₇If you want to do right

and to obey my teaching

with all your heart,

then pay close attention.

Don't be discouraged

when others insult you

and say hurtful things.

₈They will be eaten away

like a moth-eaten coat.

But my victory will last;

my saving power

will never end.

₉Wake up! Do something, LORD.

Be strong and ready.

Wake up! Do what you did

for our people long ago.

Didn't you chop up

Rahab the monster?

₁₀Didn't you dry up the deep sea

and make a road for your people

to follow safely across?

₁₁Now those you have rescued

will return to Jerusalem,

singing on their way.

They will be crowned

with great happiness,

never again to be burdened

with sadness and sorrow.

₁₂I am the LORD, the one

who encourages you.

Why are you afraid

of mere humans?

They dry up and die like grass.

₁₃I spread out the heavens

and laid foundations

for the earth.

But you have forgotten me,

your LORD and Creator.

All day long you were afraid

of those who were angry

and hoped to abuse you.

Where are they now?

₁₄Everyone crying out in pain

will be quickly set free;

they will be rescued

from the power of death

and never go hungry.

₁₅I will help them

because I am your God,

the LORD All-Powerful,

who makes the ocean roar.

₁₆I have told you what to say,

and I will keep you safe

in the palm of my hand.

I spread out the heavens

and laid foundations

for the earth.

Now I say, “Jerusalem,

your people are mine.”

₁₇Jerusalem, wake up! Stand up!

You've drunk too much

from the cup filled

with the LORD's anger.

You have swallowed every drop,

and you can't walk straight.

₁₈Not one of your many children

is there to guide you

or to offer a helping hand.

₁₉You have been destroyed

by war and by famine;

I cannot comfort you.

₂₀The LORD your God is angry,

and on every street corner

your children lie helpless,

like deer trapped in nets.

₂₁You are in trouble and drunk,

but not from wine.

So pay close attention

₂₂to the LORD your God,

who defends you and says,

“I have taken from your hands

the cup filled with my anger

that made you drunk.

You will never be forced

to drink it again.

₂₃Instead I will give it

to your brutal enemies,

who treated you like dirt

and walked all over you.”

₁Jerusalem, wake up!

Stand up and be strong.

Holy city of Zion,

dress in your best clothes.

Those foreigners who ruined

your sacred city

won't bother you again.

₂Zion, rise from the dust!

Free yourself from the rope

around your neck.

₃The LORD says:

My people, you were sold,

but not for money;

now you will be set free,

but not for a payment.

₄Long ago you went to Egypt

where you lived

as foreigners.

Then Assyria was cruel to you,

₅and now another nation

has taken you prisoner

for no reason at all.

Your leaders groan with pain,

and day after day

my own name is cursed.

₆My people, you will learn

who I am and who is speaking

because I am here.

₇What a beautiful sight!

On the mountains a messenger

announces to Jerusalem,

“Good news! You're saved.

There will be peace.

Your God is now King.”

₈Everyone on guard duty,

sing and celebrate!

Look! You can see the LORD

returning to Zion.

₉Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!

Join in the singing.

The LORD has given comfort

to his people;

he comes to your rescue.

₁₀The LORD has shown all nations

his mighty strength;

now everyone will see

the saving power of our God.

₁₁Leave the city of Babylon!

Don't touch anything filthy.

Wash yourselves. Be ready

to carry back everything sacred

that belongs to the LORD.

₁₂You won't need to run.

No one is chasing you.

The LORD God of Israel

will lead and protect you

from enemy attacks.

₁₃The LORD says:

My servant will succeed!

He will be given great praise

and the highest honours.

₁₄Many were horrified

at what happened to him.

But everyone who saw him

was even more horrified

because he suffered until

he no longer looked human.

₁₅My servant will make

nations worthy to worship me;

kings will be silent

as they bow in wonder.

They will see and think about

things they have never seen

or thought about before.