1. The Lord said:Heaven is my throne;the earth is my footstool.What kind of housecould you build for me?In what place will I rest?
2. I have made everything;that's how it all came to be.I, the Lord, have spoken.The people I treasure mostare the humble—they depend only on meand tremble when I speak.
3. You sacrifice oxen to me,and you commit murder;you sacrifice lambs to meand dogs to other gods;you offer grain to meand pigs' blood to idols;you burn incense to meand praise your idols.You have made your own choiceto do these disgusting thingsthat you enjoy so much.
4. You refused to answerwhen I called out;you paid no attentionto my instructions.Instead, you did what I hated,knowing it was wrong.Now I will punish youin a way you dread the most.
5. If you tremblewhen the Lord speaks,listen to what he says:“Some of your own people hateand reject you because of me.They make fun and say,‘Let the Lord show his power!Let us see himmake you truly happy.’But those who say these thingswill be terribly ashamed.”
6. Do you hear that noisein the city and those shoutscoming from the temple?It is the Lord shoutingas he punishes his enemies.
7. Have you ever heard of a womanwho gave birth to a childbefore having labour pains?
8. Who ever heard of such a thingor imagined it could happen?Can a nation be born in a dayor come to life in a second?Jerusalem is like a motherwho gave birth to her childrenas soon as she was in labour.
9. The Lord is the onewho makes birth possible.And he will see that Zionhas many more children.The Lord has spoken.
10. If you love Jerusalem,celebrate and shout!If you were in sorrowbecause of the city,you can now be glad.
11. She will nurse and comfort you,just like your own mother,until you are satisfied.You will fully enjoyher wonderful glory.
12. The Lord has promised:“I will flood Jerusalemwith the wealth of nationsand make the city prosper.Zion will nurse you at her breast,carry you in her arms,and hold you in her lap.
13. I will comfort you therelike a mothercomforting her child.”