12 “I, even I, am he who comfortsb you.

Who are you that you fearc mere mortals,d

human beings who are but grass,e

13 that you forgetf the Lord your Maker,g

who stretches out the heavensh

and who lays the foundations of the earth,

that you live in constant terrori every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction?

For where is the wrath of the oppressor?j

14 The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;k

they will not die in their dungeon,

nor will they lack bread.l

15 For I am the Lord your God,

who stirs up the seam so that its waves roarn—

the Lord Almightyo is his name.

16 I have put my words in your mouthp

and covered you with the shadow of my handq—

I who set the heavens in place,

who laid the foundations of the earth,r

and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.s’ ”