Future Glory for Jerusalem

1 “Sing, O childless woman,

you who have never given birth!

Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,

you who have never been in labor.

For the desolate woman now has more children

than the woman who lives with her husband,”

says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.

Spread out your home, and spare no expense!

3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams.

Your descendants will occupy other nations

and resettle the ruined cities.

4 “Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.

Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.

You will no longer remember the shame of your youth

and the sorrows of widowhood.

5 For your Creator will be your husband;

the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name!

He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel,

the God of all the earth.

6 For the Lord has called you back from your grief—

as though you were a young wife abandoned by her husband,”

says your God.

7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,

but with great compassion I will take you back.

8 In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while.

But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”

says the Lord, your Redeemer.