12 I—I am the one who comforts you.

Who are you that you should fear humans who die,a

or a son of man who is given up like grass?b

13 But you have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,

who stretched out the heavens

and laid the foundations of the earth.c

You are in constant dread all day long

because of the fury of the oppressor,

who has set himself to destroy.

But where is the fury of the oppressor?d

14 The prisonerA is soon to be set free;

he will not die and go to the Pit,

and his food will not be lacking.

15 For I am the Lord your God

who stirs up the sea so that its waves roare—

his name is the Lord of Armies.

16 I have put my words in your mouth,f

and covered you in the shadow of my hand,g

in order to plantB the heavens,

to found the earth,

and to say to Zion, “You are my people.”