Isaiah 51

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness

and who seek the Lord:

Look to the rock from which you were cut

and to the quarry from which you were hewn;

2 look to Abraham, your father,

and to Sarah, who gave you birth.

When I called him he was only one man,

and I blessed him and made him many.

3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion

and will look with compassion on all her ruins;

he will make her deserts like Eden,

her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.

Joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

4 “Listen to me, my people;

hear me, my nation:

Instruction will go out from me;

my justice will become a light to the nations.

5 My righteousness draws near speedily,

my salvation is on the way,

and my arm will bring justice to the nations.

The islands will look to me

and wait in hope for my arm.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

look at the earth beneath;

the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment

and its inhabitants die like flies.

But my salvation will last forever,

my righteousness will never fail.

7 “Hear me, you who know what is right,

you people who have taken my instruction to heart:

Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals

or be terrified by their insults.

8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment;

the worm will devour them like wool.

But my righteousness will last forever,

my salvation through all generations.”

9 Awake, awake, arm of the Lord,

clothe yourself with strength!

Awake, as in days gone by,

as in generations of old.

Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces,

who pierced that monster through?

10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep,

who made a road in the depths of the sea

so that the redeemed might cross over?

11 Those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

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

Who are you that you fear mere mortals,

human beings who are but grass,

13 that you forget the Lord your Maker,

who stretches out the heavens

and who lays the foundations of the earth,

that you live in constant terror every day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction?

For where is the wrath of the oppressor?

14 The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;

they will not die in their dungeon,

nor will they lack bread.

15 For I am the Lord your God,

who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—

the Lord Almighty is his name.

16 I have put my words in your mouth

and covered you with the shadow of my hand—

I who set the heavens in place,

who laid the foundations of the earth,

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

17 Awake, awake!

Rise up, Jerusalem,

you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord

the cup of his wrath,

you who have drained to its dregs

the goblet that makes people stagger.

18 Among all the children she bore

there was none to guide her;

among all the children she reared

there was none to take her by the hand.

19 These double calamities have come upon you—

who can comfort you?—

ruin and destruction, famine and sword—

who can console you?

20 Your children have fainted;

they lie at every street corner,

like antelope caught in a net.

They are filled with the wrath of the Lord,

with the rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore hear this, you afflicted one,

made drunk, but not with wine.

22 This is what your Sovereign Lord says,

your God, who defends his people:

“See, I have taken out of your hand

the cup that made you stagger;

from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,

you will never drink again.

23 I will put it into the hands of your tormentors,

who said to you,

‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’

And you made your back like the ground,

like a street to be walked on.”

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

you who seek the Lord:

look to the rock from which you were hewn,

and to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father

and to Sarah who bore you;

for he was but one when I called him,

that I might bless him and multiply him.

3 For the Lord comforts Zion;

he comforts all her waste places

and makes her wilderness like Eden,

her desert like the garden of the Lord;

joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4 “Give attention to me, my people,

and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.

5 My righteousness draws near,

my salvation has gone out,

and my arms will judge the peoples;

the coastlands hope for me,

and for my arm they wait.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment,

and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;

but my salvation will be forever,

and my righteousness will never be dismayed.

7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

the people in whose heart is my law;

fear not the reproach of man,

nor be dismayed at their revilings.

8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool,

but my righteousness will be forever,

and my salvation to all generations.”

9 Awake, awake, put on strength,

O arm of the Lord;

awake, as in days of old,

the generations of long ago.

Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,

who pierced the dragon?

10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep,

who made the depths of the sea a way

for the redeemed to pass over?

11 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return

and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain gladness and joy,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 “I, I am he who comforts you;

who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,

of the son of man who is made like grass,

13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,

who stretched out the heavens

and laid the foundations of the earth,

and you fear continually all the day

because of the wrath of the oppressor,

when he sets himself to destroy?

And where is the wrath of the oppressor?

14 He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;

he shall not die and go down to the pit,

neither shall his bread be lacking.

15 I am the Lord your God,

who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—

the Lord of hosts is his name.

16 And I have put my words in your mouth

and covered you in the shadow of my hand,

establishing the heavens

and laying the foundations of the earth,

and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”

17 Wake yourself, wake yourself,

stand up, O Jerusalem,

you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord

the cup of his wrath,

who have drunk to the dregs

the bowl, the cup of staggering.

18 There is none to guide her

among all the sons she has borne;

there is none to take her by the hand

among all the sons she has brought up.

19 These two things have happened to you—

who will console you?—

devastation and destruction, famine and sword;

who will comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted;

they lie at the head of every street

like an antelope in a net;

they are full of the wrath of the Lord,

the rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore hear this, you who are afflicted,

who are drunk, but not with wine:

22 Thus says your Lord, the Lord,

your God who pleads the cause of his people:

“Behold, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering;

the bowl of my wrath you shall drink no more;

23 and I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,

who have said to you,

‘Bow down, that we may pass over’;

and you have made your back like the ground

and like the street for them to pass over.”

1 “Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—

all who seek the Lord!

Consider the rock from which you were cut,

the quarry from which you were mined.

2 Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor,

and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation.

Abraham was only one man when I called him.

But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.”

3 The Lord will comfort Israel again

and have pity on her ruins.

Her desert will blossom like Eden,

her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord.

Joy and gladness will be found there.

Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

4 “Listen to me, my people.

Hear me, Israel,

for my law will be proclaimed,

and my justice will become a light to the nations.

5 My mercy and justice are coming soon.

My salvation is on the way.

My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.

All distant lands will look to me

and wait in hope for my powerful arm.

6 Look up to the skies above,

and gaze down on the earth below.

For the skies will disappear like smoke,

and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing.

The people of the earth will die like flies,

but my salvation lasts forever.

My righteous rule will never end!

7 “Listen to me, you who know right from wrong,

you who cherish my law in your hearts.

Do not be afraid of people’s scorn,

nor fear their insults.

8 For the moth will devour them as it devours clothing.

The worm will eat at them as it eats wool.

But my righteousness will last forever.

My salvation will continue from generation to generation.”

9 Wake up, wake up, O Lord! Clothe yourself with strength!

Flex your mighty right arm!

Rouse yourself as in the days of old

when you slew Egypt, the dragon of the Nile.

10 Are you not the same today,

the one who dried up the sea,

making a path of escape through the depths

so that your people could cross over?

11 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return.

They will enter Jerusalem singing,

crowned with everlasting joy.

Sorrow and mourning will disappear,

and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

12 “I, yes I, am the one who comforts you.

So why are you afraid of mere humans,

who wither like the grass and disappear?

13 Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator,

the one who stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.

Will you remain in constant dread of human oppressors?

Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies?

Where is their fury and anger now?

It is gone!

14 Soon all you captives will be released!

Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!

15 For I am the Lord your God,

who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar.

My name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

16 And I have put my words in your mouth

and hidden you safely in my hand.

I stretched out the sky like a canopy

and laid the foundations of the earth.

I am the one who says to Israel,

‘You are my people!’ ”

17 Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem!

You have drunk the cup of the Lord’s fury.

You have drunk the cup of terror,

tipping out its last drops.

18 Not one of your children is left alive

to take your hand and guide you.

19 These two calamities have fallen on you:

desolation and destruction, famine and war.

And who is left to sympathize with you?

Who is left to comfort you?

20 For your children have fainted and lie in the streets,

helpless as antelopes caught in a net.

The Lord has poured out his fury;

God has rebuked them.

21 But now listen to this, you afflicted ones

who sit in a drunken stupor,

though not from drinking wine.

22 This is what the Sovereign Lord,

your God and Defender, says:

“See, I have taken the terrible cup from your hands.

You will drink no more of my fury.

23 Instead, I will hand that cup to your tormentors,

those who said, ‘We will trample you into the dust

and walk on your backs.’ ”

1 “Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness,

You who seek the Lord:

Look to the rock from which you were hewn,

And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father,

And to Sarah who bore you;

For I called him alone,

And blessed him and increased him.”

3 For the Lord will comfort Zion,

He will comfort all her waste places;

He will make her wilderness like Eden,

And her desert like the garden of the Lord;

Joy and gladness will be found in it,

Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

4 “Listen to Me, My people;

And give ear to Me, O My nation:

For law will proceed from Me,

And I will make My justice rest

As a light of the peoples.

5 My righteousness is near,

My salvation has gone forth,

And My arms will judge the peoples;

The coastlands will wait upon Me,

And on My arm they will trust.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

And look on the earth beneath.

For the heavens will vanish away like smoke,

The earth will grow old like a garment,

And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;

But My salvation will be forever,

And My righteousness will not be abolished.

7 “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,

You people in whose heart is My law:

Do not fear the reproach of men,

Nor be afraid of their insults.

8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

And the worm will eat them like wool;

But My righteousness will be forever,

And My salvation from generation to generation.”

9 Awake, awake, put on strength,

O arm of the Lord!

Awake as in the ancient days,

In the generations of old.

Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart,

And wounded the serpent?

10 Are You not the One who dried up the sea,

The waters of the great deep;

That made the depths of the sea a road

For the redeemed to cross over?

11 So the ransomed of the Lord shall return,

And come to Zion with singing,

With everlasting joy on their heads.

They shall obtain joy and gladness;

Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you.

Who are you that you should be afraid

Of a man who will die,

And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?

13 And you forget the Lord your Maker,

Who stretched out the heavens

And laid the foundations of the earth;

You have feared continually every day

Because of the fury of the oppressor,

When he has prepared to destroy.

And where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed,

That he should not die in the pit,

And that his bread should not fail.

15 But I am the Lord your God,

Who divided the sea whose waves roared—

The Lord of hosts is His name.

16 And I have put My words in your mouth;

I have covered you with the shadow of My hand,

That I may plant the heavens,

Lay the foundations of the earth,

And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’ ”

17 Awake, awake!

Stand up, O Jerusalem,

You who have drunk at the hand of the Lord

The cup of His fury;

You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling,

And drained it out.

18 There is no one to guide her

Among all the sons she has brought forth;

Nor is there any who takes her by the hand

Among all the sons she has brought up.

19 These two things have come to you;

Who will be sorry for you?—

Desolation and destruction, famine and sword—

By whom will I comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted,

They lie at the head of all the streets,

Like an antelope in a net;

They are full of the fury of the Lord,

The rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore please hear this, you afflicted,

And drunk but not with wine.

22 Thus says your Lord,

The Lord and your God,

Who pleads the cause of His people:

“See, I have taken out of your hand

The cup of trembling,

The dregs of the cup of My fury;

You shall no longer drink it.

23 But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,

Who have said to you,

‘Lie down, that we may walk over you.’

And you have laid your body like the ground,

And as the street, for those who walk over.”

1 The Lord says, “Listen to me,

those of you who try to live right and follow the Lord.

Look at the rock from which you were cut;

look at the stone quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look at Abraham, your ancestor,

and Sarah, who gave birth to your ancestors.

Abraham had no children when I called him,

but I blessed him and gave him many descendants.

3 So the Lord will comfort Jerusalem;

he will show mercy to those who live in her ruins.

He will change her deserts into a garden like Eden;

he will make her empty lands like the garden of the Lord.

People there will be very happy;

they will give thanks and sing songs.

4 “My people, listen to me;

my nation, pay attention to me.

I will give the people my teachings,

and my decisions will be like a light to all people.

5 I will soon show that I do what is right.

I will soon save you.

I will use my power and judge all nations.

All the faraway places are waiting for me;

they wait for my power to help them.

6 Look up to the heavens.

Look around you at the earth below.

The skies will disappear like clouds of smoke.

The earth will become useless like old clothes,

and its people will die like flies.

But my salvation will continue forever,

and my goodness will never end.

7 “You people who know what is right should listen to me;

you people who follow my teachings should hear what I say.

Don’t be afraid of the evil things people say,

and don’t be upset by their insults.

8 Moths will eat those people as if they were clothes,

and worms will eat them as if they were wool.

But my goodness will continue forever,

and my salvation will continue from now on.”

9 Wake up, wake up, and use your strength,

powerful Lord.

Wake up as you did in the old times,

as you did a long time ago.

With your own power, you cut Rahab into pieces

and killed that sea monster.

10 You dried up the sea

and the waters of the deep ocean.

You made the deepest parts of the sea into a road

for your people to cross over and be saved.

11 The people the Lord has freed will return

and enter Jerusalem with joy.

Their happiness will last forever.

They will have joy and gladness,

and all sadness and sorrow will be gone far away.

12 The Lord says, “I am the one who comforts you.

So why should you be afraid of people, who die?

Why should you fear people who die like the grass?

13 Have you forgotten the Lord who made you,

who stretched out the skies

and made the earth?

Why are you always afraid

of those angry people who trouble you

and who want to destroy?

But where are those angry people now?

14 People in prison will soon be set free;

they will not die in prison,

and they will have enough food.

15 I am the Lord your God,

who stirs the sea and makes the waves roar.

My name is the Lord All-Powerful.

16 I will give you the words I want you to say.

I will cover you with my hands and protect you.

I made the heavens and the earth,

and I say to Jerusalem, ‘You are my people.’ ”

17 Awake! Awake!

Get up, Jerusalem.

The Lord was very angry with you;

your punishment was like wine in a cup.

The Lord made you drink that wine;

you drank the whole cup until you stumbled.

18 Jerusalem had many people,

but there was not one to lead her.

Of all the people who grew up there,

no one was there to guide her.

19 Troubles came to you two by two,

but no one will feel sorry for you.

There was ruin and disaster, great hunger and fighting.

No one can comfort you.

20 Your people have become weak.

They fall down and lie on every street corner,

like animals caught in a net.

They have felt the full anger of the Lord

and have heard God’s angry shout.

21 So listen to me, poor Jerusalem,

you who are drunk but not from wine.

22 Your God will defend his people.

This is what the Lord your God says:

“The punishment I gave you is like a cup of wine.

You drank it and could not walk straight.

But I am taking that cup of my anger away from you,

and you will never be punished by my anger again.

23 I will now give that cup of punishment to those who gave you pain,

who told you,

‘Bow down so we can walk over you.’

They made your back like dirt for them to walk on;

you were like a street for them to travel on.”

1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged. 2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many. 3 For Jehovah hath comforted Zion; he hath comforted all her waste places, and hath made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

4 Attend unto me, O my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples. 5 My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation unto all generations.

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not thou that didst cut Rahab in pieces, that didst pierce the monster? 10 Is it not thou that driedst up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that madest the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 11 And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass; 13 and hast forgotten Jehovah thy Maker, that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fearest continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he maketh ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile shall speedily be loosed; and he shall not die and go down into the pit, neither shall his bread fail. 15 For I am Jehovah thy God, who stirreth up the sea, so that the waves thereof roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name. 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and have covered thee in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, that hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his wrath; thou hast drunken the bowl of the cup of staggering, and drained it. 18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand among all the sons that she hath brought up. 19 These two things are befallen thee, who shall bemoan thee? desolation and destruction, and the famine and the sword; how shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an antelope in a net; they are full of the wrath of Jehovah, the rebuke of thy God.

21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: 22 Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath; thou shalt no more drink it again: 23 and I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee, that have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over; and thou hast laid thy back as the ground, and as the street, to them that go over.

1 Hearken unto me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek Jehovah: look unto the rock whence ye were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye were digged. 2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bore you; for I called him when he was alone, and blessed him, and multiplied him. 3 For Jehovah shall comfort Zion, he shall comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Jehovah: gladness and joy shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of song.

4 Listen unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will establish my judgment for a light of the peoples. 5 My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples: the isles shall wait for me, and in mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall grow old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner; but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. 7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of men, and be not afraid of their revilings. 8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool; but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of Jehovah; awake, as in the days of old, as in the generations of passed ages. Is it not thou that hath hewn Rahab in pieces, and pierced the monster? 10 Is it not thou that dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; that made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? 11 So the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come to Zion with singing; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 12 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou fearest a man that shall die, and the son of man that shall become as grass; 13 and forgettest Jehovah thy Maker, who hath stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and thou art afraid continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he prepareth to destroy? And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 He that is bowed down shall speedily be loosed, and he shall not die in the pit, nor shall his bread fail. 15 And I am Jehovah thy God, who raiseth the sea, so that its waves roar: Jehovah of hosts is his name. 16 And I have put my words in thy mouth, and covered thee with the shadow of my hand, to plant the heavens, and to lay the foundations of the earth, and to say unto Zion, Thou art my people.

17 Arouse thyself, arouse thyself, stand up, Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of Jehovah the cup of his fury. Thou hast drunk, hast drained out the goblet-cup of bewilderment: 18 —there is none to guide her among all the children that she hath brought forth; neither is there any to take her by the hand of all the children that she hath brought up. 19 These two things are come unto thee; who will bemoan thee? —desolation and destruction, and famine and sword: how shall I comfort thee? 20 Thy children have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as an oryx in a net: they are full of the fury of Jehovah, the rebuke of thy God. 21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: 22 thus saith thy Lord, Jehovah, and thy God, who pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I take out of thy hand the cup of bewilderment, the goblet-cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again: 23 and I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; who have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over; and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street to them that went over.

1 Listen to me, you people who pursue what is right and seek the Lord. 

Look to the rock from which you were cut 

and to the quarry from which you were dug. 

2 Look to Abraham, your ancestor, 

and to Sarah, from whom you are descended. 

When I called Abraham, he was childless. 

I blessed him and gave him many descendants. 

3 So the Lord will comfort Zion. 

He will comfort all those who live among its ruins. 

He will make its desert like Eden. 

He will make its wilderness like the garden of the Lord. 

Joy and gladness will be found in it, 

thanksgiving and the sound of singing. 

4 Pay attention to me, my people. 

Open your ears to hear me, my nation. 

My teachings will go out from me. 

My justice will become a light for the people. 

5 My righteousness is near. 

My salvation is on the way. 

I will bring justice to people. 

The coastlands put their hope in me, 

and they wait eagerly for me. 

6 Look at the sky. 

Look at the earth below. 

The sky will vanish like smoke. 

The earth will wear out like clothing, 

and those who live there will die like flies. 

But my salvation will last forever, 

and my righteousness will never fail. 

7 Listen to me, you people who know righteousness, 

you people who have my teachings in your hearts. 

Don’t be afraid of being insulted by people. 

Don’t be discouraged by their ridicule. 

8 Moths will eat them like clothing. 

Worms will devour them like wool. 

But my righteousness will last forever, 

and my salvation will last throughout every generation. 

9 Wake up! Wake up! Clothe yourself with strength, O Lord! 

Wake up as you did in days long past, as in generations long ago. 

Didn’t you cut Rahabinto pieces and stab the serpent? 

10 Didn’t you dry up the sea, the water of the great ocean? 

You made a road in the depths of the sea 

so that the people reclaimed ⸤by the Lord⸥ 

might pass through it. 

11 The people ransomed by the Lord will return. 

They will come to Zion singing with joy. 

Everlasting happiness will be on their heads ⸤as a crown⸥. 

They will be glad and joyful. 

They will have no sorrow or grief. 

12 I alone am the one who comforts you. 

Why, then, are you afraid of mortals, who must die, 

of humans, who are like grass? 

13 Why have you forgotten the Lord, your Creator? 

He stretched out the heavens 

and laid the foundations of the earth. 

Why should you live in constant fear of the fury 

of those who oppress you, 

of those who are ready to destroy you? 

Where is the fury of those who oppress you? 

14 Chained prisoners will be set free. 

They will not die in prison. 

They will not go without food. 

15 I am the Lord your God who stirs up the sea 

and makes its waves roar. 

My name is the Lord of Armies. 

16 I put my words in your mouth 

and sheltered you in the palm of my hand. 

I stretched out the heavens, 

laid the foundations of the earth, 

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

17 Wake up! Wake up! 

Stand up, Jerusalem! 

You drank from the cup in the Lord’s hand. 

That cup was filled with his anger. 

You drank from the bowl, the cup that makes people stagger, 

and you drained it! 

18 From all the children she gave birth to, 

there was no one to guide her. 

From all the children she raised, 

there was no one to take her by the hand. 

19 Twice as many disasters have happened to you. 

Who will feel sorry for you? 

Violence, destruction, famine, and war have happened to you. 

Who will comfort you? 

20 Your children have fainted. 

They lie sleeping at every street corner. 

They are like an antelope caught in a net. 

They experience the anger of the Lord, 

the fury of your God. 

21 Listen to this, you humble people 

who are drunk but not from wine. 

22 The Lord your God defends his people. 

This is what your master says: 

I’m taking from your hand the cup that makes people stagger, 

the bowl, the cup of my fury. 

You will never drink from it again. 

23 I will put it in the hands of those who made you suffer. 

They said to you, “Lie down so that we can walk over you.” 

So you made your back like the ground 

and like a street for them to cross. 

1 Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness,

you who seek the Lord:

Look to the rock from which you were cut,

and to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father,

and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain.

When I called him, he was only one;

I blessed him and made him many.

3 For the Lord will comfort Zion;

He will comfort all her waste places,

and He will make her wilderness like Eden,

and her desert like the garden of the Lord.

Joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and melodious song.

4 Pay attention to Me, My people,

and listen to Me, My nation;

for instruction will come from Me,

and My justice for a light to the nations.

I will bring it about quickly.

5 My righteousness is near,

My salvation appears,

and My arms will bring justice to the nations.

The coastlands will put their hope in Me,

and they will look to My strength.

6 Look up to the heavens,

and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment,

and its inhabitants will die like gnats.

But My salvation will last forever,

and My righteousness will never be shattered.

7 Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,

the people in whose heart is My instruction:

do not fear disgrace by men,

and do not be shattered by their taunts.

8 For the moth will devour them like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool.

But My righteousness will last forever,

and My salvation for all generations.

9 Wake up, wake up!

Put on the strength of the Lord’s power.

Wake up as in days past,

as in generations of long ago.

Wasn’t it You who hacked Rahab to pieces,

who pierced the sea monster?

10 Wasn’t it You who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep,

who made the sea-bed into a road

for the redeemed to pass over?

11 And the redeemed of the Lord will return

and come to Zion with singing,

crowned with unending joy.

Joy and gladness will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee.

12 I—I am the One who comforts you.

Who are you that you should fear man who dies,

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

13 But you have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,

who stretched out the heavens

and laid the foundations of the earth.

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?

14 The prisoner 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 Yahweh your God

who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar —

His name is Yahweh of Hosts.

16 I have put My words in your mouth,

and covered you in the shadow of My hand,

in order to plant the heavens,

to found the earth,

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

17 Wake yourself, wake yourself up!

Stand up, Jerusalem,

you who have drunk the cup of His fury

from the hand of the Lord;

you who have drunk the goblet to the dregs—

the cup that causes people to stagger.

18 There is no one to guide her

among all the children she has raised;

there is no one to take hold of her hand

among all the offspring she has brought up.

19 These two things have happened to you:

devastation and destruction,

famine and sword.

Who will grieve for you?

How can I comfort you?

20 Your children have fainted;

they lie at the head of every street

like an antelope in a net.

They are full of the Lord’s fury,

the rebuke of your God.

21 So listen to this, afflicted

and drunken one—but not with wine.

22 This is what your Lord says—

Yahweh, even your God,

who defends His people —

“Look, I have removed

the cup of staggering from your hand;

that goblet, the cup of My fury.

You will never drink it again.

23 I will put it into the hands of your tormentors,

who said to you:

Lie down, so we can walk over you.

You made your back like the ground,

and like a street for those who walk on it.

1 Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

you who seek the Lord.

Look to the rock from which you were hewn

and to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 Look to Abraham your father

and to Sarah, who bore you,

for he was but one when I called him,

but I blessed him and made him many.

3 For the Lord will comfort Zion;

he will comfort all her waste places

and will make her wilderness like Eden,

her desert like the garden of the Lord;

joy and gladness will be found in her,

thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4 Listen to me, my people,

and give heed to me, my nation,

for a teaching will go out from me

and my justice for a light to the peoples.

5 I will bring near my deliverance swiftly;

my salvation has gone out,

and my arms will rule the peoples;

the coastlands wait for me,

and for my arm they hope.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens

and look at the earth beneath,

for the heavens will vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like a garment,

and those who live on it will die like gnats,

but my salvation will be forever,

and my deliverance will never be ended.

7 Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

you people who have my teaching in your hearts;

do not fear the reproach of others,

and do not be dismayed when they revile you.

8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool,

but my deliverance will be forever

and my salvation to all generations.

9 Awake, awake, put on strength,

O arm of the Lord!

Awake, as in days of old,

the generations of long ago!

Was it not you who cut Rahab in pieces,

who pierced the dragon?

10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep;

who made the depths of the sea a way

for the redeemed to cross over?

11 So the ransomed of the Lord shall return

and come to Zion with rejoicing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 I, I am he who comforts you;

why then are you afraid of a mere mortal who must die,

a human being who fades like grass?

13 You have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,

who stretched out the heavens

and laid the foundations of the earth.

You fear continually all day long

because of the fury of the oppressor,

who is bent on destruction.

But where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 The oppressed shall speedily be released;

they shall not die and go down to the Pit,

nor shall they lack bread.

15 For I am the Lord your God,

who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—

the Lord of hosts is his name.

16 I have put my words in your mouth

and hidden you in the shadow of my hand,

stretching out the heavens

and laying the foundations of the earth

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

17 Rouse yourself, rouse yourself!

Stand up, O Jerusalem,

you who have drunk at the hand of the Lord

the cup of his wrath,

who have drunk to the dregs

the cup of staggering.

18 There is no one to guide her

among all the children she has borne;

there is no one to take her by the hand

among all the children she has brought up.

19 These two things have befallen you

—who will grieve with you?—

devastation and destruction, famine and sword.

Who will comfort you?

20 Your children have fainted;

they lie at the head of every street

like an antelope in a net;

they are full of the wrath of the Lord,

the rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore hear this, you who are wounded,

who are drunk but not with wine:

22 Thus says your Sovereign, the Lord,

your God who pleads the cause of his people:

See, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering;

you shall drink no more

from the cup of my wrath.

23 And I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,

who have said to you,

“Bow down, that we may walk on you,”

and you have made your back like the ground

and like the street for them to walk on.

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

who seek Yahweh.

Look to the rock from which you were hewn,

and to the excavation of the pit from which you were quarried.

2 Look to Abraham your father,

and to Sarah; she brought you forth.

For I called him alone,

but I blessed him and made him numerous.”

3 For Yahweh will comfort Zion;

he will comfort all its sites of ruins.

And he will make its wilderness like Eden,

and its desert like the garden of Yahweh.

Joy and gladness will be found in it,

thanksgiving and the sound of song.

4 “Listen attentively to me, my people,

and my nation, listen to me!

For a teaching will go out from me,

and I will cause my justice to rest for a light to the peoples.

5 My righteousness is near; my salvation has gone out,

and my arms will judge the peoples.

The coastlands wait for me,

and for my arm they wait.

6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens

and look to the earth beneath,

for the heavens will be torn to pieces like smoke,

and the earth will be worn out like a garment,

and those who inhabit her will die like gnats.

But my salvation will be forever,

and my righteousness will not be broken to pieces.

7 Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

people who have my teaching in their heart;

you must not fear the reproach of men,

or be terrified because of their abuse.

8 For a moth will eat them like garments;

a moth will devour them like wool,

but my righteousness will be forever,

and my salvation for generation after generation.”

9 Awake! Awake; put on strength, O arm of Yahweh!

Awake as in days of long ago,

the generations of a long time back!

Are you not the one who cut Rahab in pieces,

the one who pierced the sea-dragon?

10 Are you not the one who dried up the sea,

the waters of the great deep,

the one who made the depths of the sea a way

for those who are redeemed to cross over?

11 So the redeemed ones of Yahweh shall return,

and they shall come to Zion with singing,

and everlasting joy shall be on their heads.

Joy and gladness shall appear;

sorrow and sighing shall flee away!

12 “I, I am he who comforts you;

who are you that you are afraid of man? He dies!

And of the son of humankind? He is sacrificed as grass!

13 And you have forgotten Yahweh, your maker,

who stretched out the heavens,

and founded the earth.

And you tremble continually, all day,

because of the wrath of the oppressor

when he takes aim to destroy.

But where is the wrath of the oppressor?

14 The fettered one shall make haste to be freed.

And he shall not die in the pit,

and he shall not lack his bread.

15 For I am Yahweh, your God,

who stirs up the sea, so that its waves roar;

Yahweh of hosts is his name.

16 And I have put my words in your mouth,

and I have covered you in the shadow of my hand,

to plant the heavens

and to found the earth,

saying to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”

17 Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself!

Stand up, Jerusalem, who have drunk from the hand of Yahweh the cup of his wrath;

you have drunk the goblet, the cup of staggering;

you have drained it out.

18 There is no one who guides her among all the children she has borne,

and there is no one who grasps her by the hand among all the children she raised.

19 Two things here have happened to you—who will show sympathy for you?—

devastation and destruction, famine and sword—who will comfort you?

20 Your children have fainted;

they lie at the head of all the streets, like an antelope in a snare,

those who are full of the wrath of Yahweh,

the rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore hear now this afflicted one

and drunken one but not from wine.

22 Thus says your Lord, Yahweh,

and your God pleads the cause of his people:

“Look! I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering.

You shall not continue to drink the goblet, the cup of my wrath, any longer.

23 And I will put it in the hand of your tormenters,

who have said to you, ‘Bow down that we may pass over you!’

And you have made your back like the ground,

and like the street for those who pass over you.”

1 The Lord says, “Listen to me, you who want to do what is right.

Pay attention, you who look to me.

Consider the rock you were cut out of.

Think about the rock pit you were dug from.

2 Consider Abraham. He is the father of your people.

Think about Sarah. She is your mother.

When I chose Abraham, he did not have any children.

But I blessed him and gave him many of them.

3 You can be sure that I will comfort Zion’s people.

I will look with loving concern on all of their destroyed buildings.

I will make their deserts like Eden.

I will make their dry and empty land like my very own garden.

Joy and gladness will be there.

People will sing and give thanks to me.

4 “Listen to me, my people.

Pay attention, my nation.

My law will go out to the nations.

I make everything right.

That will be a guiding light for them.

5 The time for me to set you free is near.

I will soon save you.

My powerful arm will make everything right among the nations.

The islands will put their hope in me.

They will wait for my powerful arm to act.

6 Look up toward the heavens.

Then look at the earth.

The heavens will vanish like smoke.

The earth will wear out like clothes.

Those who live there will die like flies.

But I will save you forever.

My saving power will never end.

7 “Listen to me, you who know what is right.

Pay attention, you who have my law in your hearts.

Do not be afraid when mere people make fun of you.

Do not be terrified when they laugh at you.

8 They will be like clothes that moths have eaten up.

They will be like wool that worms have chewed up.

But my saving power will last forever.

I will save you for all time to come.”

9 Wake up! Lord, wake up! Dress your powerful arm with strength

as if it were your clothes.

Wake up, just as you did in the past.

Wake up, as you did long ago.

Didn’t you cut Rahab to pieces?

Didn’t you stab that sea monster to death?

10 Didn’t you dry up the Red Sea?

Didn’t you dry up those deep waters?

You made a road on the bottom of that sea.

Then those who were set free went across.

11 Those the Lord has saved will return to their land.

They will sing as they enter the city of Zion.

Joy that lasts forever will be like beautiful crowns on their heads.

They will be filled with gladness and joy.

Sorrow and sighing will be gone.

12 The Lord says to his people,

“I comfort you because of who I am.

Why are you afraid of mere men?

They are only human beings.

They are like grass that dries up.

13 How can you forget me? I made you.

I spread out the heavens.

I laid the foundations of the earth.

Why are you terrified every day?

Is it because those who are angry with you are crushing you?

Is it because they are trying to destroy you?

Their anger can’t harm you anymore.

14 You prisoners who are so afraid will soon be set free.

You will not die in your prison cells.

You will not go without food.

15 I am the Lord your God.

I stir up the ocean. I make its waves roar.

My name is The Lord Who Rules Over All.

16 I have put my words in your mouth.

I have kept you safe in the palm of my hand.

I set the heavens in place.

I laid the foundations of the earth.

I say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’ ”

17 Wake up, Jerusalem!

Wake up! Get up!

The Lord has handed you the cup of his burning anger.

And you have drunk from it.

That cup makes men unsteady on their feet.

And you have drunk from it to the very last drop.

18 None of the children who were born to you

are left to guide you.

None of the children you brought up

are left to lead you by the hand.

19 Nothing but trouble has come to you.

You have been wiped out and destroyed.

And you have suffered hunger and war.

No one feels sorry for you.

No one can comfort you.

20 Your children have fainted.

They lie helpless at every street corner.

They are like antelope that have been caught in a net.

They have felt the full force of the Lord’s burning anger.

Jerusalem, your God had to warn them strongly.

21 So listen to me, you suffering people of Jerusalem.

You have been made drunk, but not by drinking wine.

22 Your Lord and King speaks.

He is your God.

He stands up for his people. He says,

“I have taken from you the cup of my burning anger.

It made you unsteady on your feet.

But you will never drink

from that cup again.

23 Instead, I will give it to those who made you suffer.

They said to you,

‘Fall down flat on the ground.

Then we can walk all over you.’

And that is exactly what you did.

You made your back like a street to be walked on.”

1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

Who seek the Lord:

Look to the rock from which you were hewn

And to the quarry from which you were dug.

2 “Look to Abraham your father

And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain;

When he was but one I called him,

Then I blessed him and multiplied him.”

3 Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion;

He will comfort all her waste places.

And her wilderness He will make like Eden,

And her desert like the garden of the Lord;

Joy and gladness will be found in her,

Thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

4 “Pay attention to Me, O My people,

And give ear to Me, O My nation;

For a law will go forth from Me,

And I will set My justice for a light of the peoples.

5 “My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth,

And My arms will judge the peoples;

The coastlands will wait for Me,

And for My arm they will wait expectantly.

6 “Lift up your eyes to the sky,

Then look to the earth beneath;

For the sky will vanish like smoke,

And the earth will wear out like a garment

And its inhabitants will die in like manner;

But My salvation will be forever,

And My righteousness will not wane.

7 “Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,

A people in whose heart is My law;

Do not fear the reproach of man,

Nor be dismayed at their revilings.

8 “For the moth will eat them like a garment,

And the grub will eat them like wool.

But My righteousness will be forever,

And My salvation to all generations.”

9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord;

Awake as in the days of old, the generations of long ago.

Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces,

Who pierced the dragon?

10 Was it not You who dried up the sea,

The waters of the great deep;

Who made the depths of the sea a pathway

For the redeemed to cross over?

11 So the ransomed of the Lord will return

And come with joyful shouting to Zion,

And everlasting joy will be on their heads.

They will obtain gladness and joy,

And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you.

Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies

And of the son of man who is made like grass,

13 That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker,

Who stretched out the heavens

And laid the foundations of the earth,

That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor,

As he makes ready to destroy?

But where is the fury of the oppressor?

14 “The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking.

15 “For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name).

16 “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’ ”

17 Rouse yourself! Rouse yourself! Arise, O Jerusalem,

You who have drunk from the Lord’s hand the cup of His anger;

The chalice of reeling you have drained to the dregs.

18 There is none to guide her among all the sons she has borne,

Nor is there one to take her by the hand among all the sons she has reared.

19 These two things have befallen you;

Who will mourn for you?

The devastation and destruction, famine and sword;

How shall I comfort you?

20 Your sons have fainted,

They lie helpless at the head of every street,

Like an antelope in a net,

Full of the wrath of the Lord,

The rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted,

Who are drunk, but not with wine:

22 Thus says your Lord, the Lord, even your God

Who contends for His people,

“Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling,

The chalice of My anger;

You will never drink it again.

23 “I will put it into the hand of your tormentors,

Who have said to you, ‘Lie down that we may walk over you.’

You have even made your back like the ground

And like the street for those who walk over it.”