The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,

if God so much as puffs on them.

Aren’t these people just so much grass?

True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,

but our God’s Word stands firm and forever.”

9–11  Climb a high mountain, Zion.

You’re the preacher of good news.

Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Jerusalem.

You’re the preacher of good news.

Speak loud and clear. Don’t be timid!

Tell the cities of Judah,

“Look! Your God!”

Look at him! God, the Master, comes in power,

ready to go into action.

He is going to pay back his enemies

and reward those who have loved him.

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock,

gathering the lambs in his arms,

Hugging them as he carries them,

leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

The Creator of All You Can See or Imagine

12–17  Who has scooped up the ocean

in his two hands,

or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger,

Who has put all the earth’s dirt in one of his baskets,

weighed each mountain and hill?