8. The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”
9. Zion, herald of good news,go up on a high mountain. Jerusalem, herald of good news, raise your voice loudly.Raise it, do not be afraid!Say to the cities of Judah,“Here is your God! ”
10. See, the Lord God comes with strength,and His power establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His gifts accompany Him.
11. He protects His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His armsand carries them in the fold of His garment.He gently leads those that are nursing.
12. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his handor marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has gathered the dust of the earth in a measureor weighed the mountains in a balanceand the hills in the scales?
13. Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,or who gave Him His counsel?
14. Who did He consult with?Who gave Him understanding and taught Him the paths of justice?Who taught Him knowledgeand showed Him the way of understanding?
15. Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;they are considered as a speck of dust in the scales;He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
16. Lebanon is not enough for fuel,or its animals enough for a burnt offering.
17. All the nations are as nothing before Him;they are considered by Himas nothingness and emptiness.