1. The Lord says:Heaven is my throne,and earth is my footstool.So where could you build a house for me,and where could my resting place be?
2. My hand made all these thingsand brought them into being, says the Lord.But here is where I will look:to the humble and contrite in spirit,who tremble at my word.
3. The one who slaughters an ox kills a person;the one who sacrifices a sheep breaks a dog’s neck;the one who makes a grain offering offers swine’s blood;the one who burns incense blesses an idol.All these have chosen their own ways,and prefer their detestable things.
4. So I too will choose to punish them,to bring horrors upon them,since I called and no one answered.I spoke and no one heard,but they did evil in my eyes.What I didn’t want, they chose.
5. Listen to the Lord’s word,you who tremble at his word:Your family members, those who hate and exclude you because of my name,have said, "Let the Lord be glorified;let’s see your joy."But they will be ashamed.
6. The sound of an uproar from the city! A sound from the temple!The sound of the Lord repaying his enemies what they have earned.
7. Before she was in labor, she gave birth.Before her pangs came upon her, she delivered a boy.
8. Whoever heard of such a thing?Whoever saw such things as these?Can a land come to birth in one day?Can a nation be born all at once?Yet as soon as birth pangs came,Zion bore her children.
9. Will I open the womb and not bring to birth? says the Lord.Will I, who create life, close the womb? says your God.