Isaiah 66:5–9

⁵Listen to the word of the Lord.

Listen, you who tremble with fear when he speaks. He says,

“Some of your own people hate you.

They turn their backs on you because you are faithful to me.

They make fun of you and say,

‘Let the Lord show his glory by saving you.

Then we can see how happy you are.’

But they will be put to shame.

⁶Hear the loud sounds coming from the city!

Listen to the noise coming from the temple!

I am the one who is causing it.

I am paying my enemies back for everything they have done.

⁷“Zion is like a woman who has a baby

before she goes into labor.

She has a son

even before her labor pains begin.

⁸Who has ever heard of anything like that?

Who has ever seen such a thing?

Can a country be born in a day?

Can a nation be created in a moment?

But as soon as Zion goes into labor,

her people increase their numbers.

⁹Zion, would I bring you to the moment of birth

and not let it happen?” says the Lord.

“Would I close up a mother’s body

when it is time for her baby to be born?” says your God.