13. The Lord marches out like a warrior.He prepares himself for battle like a soldier.He shouts, gives the battle cry, and overpowers his enemies.
14. I have been silent for a long time.I kept quiet and held myself back.But like a woman in childbirth I will cry out.I will gasp and pant.
15. I will lay waste to mountains and hills.I will dry up all their vegetation.I will turn rivers into islands.I will dry up ponds.
16. I will lead the blind on unfamiliar roads.I will lead them on unfamiliar paths.I will turn darkness into light in front of them.I will make rough places smooth.These are the things I will do for them,and I will never abandon them.
17. Then those who trust idolsand those who say to statues,“You are our gods”will be turned away and put to shame.
18. Listen, you deaf people.Look, you blind people, so that you can see.
19. Who is blind except my servantor deaf like the messenger I send?Who is blind like the one who has my trustor blind like the servant of the Lord?
20. You have seen much, but you do not observe anything.Your ears are open, but you hear nothing.
21. The Lord is pleased because he does what is right.He praises the greatness of his teachings and makes them glorious.
22. But these people are robbed and looted.They are all trapped in pits and hidden in prisons.They have become prey with no one to rescue them.They have become loot with no one to say, “Give it back.”
23. Who among you will listen to this?Is there anyone who will pay attention and listen in the future?
24. Who gave Jacob away as lootand handed Israel over to robbers?Wasn’t it the Lord, against whom we have sinned?They didn’t want to live his way.They didn’t obey his teachings.
25. So he poured out his burning anger and the horrors of war on them.It engulfed them in flames, but they did not understand.It burned them, but they did not take it to heart.