2. Speak kindly to the people of Jerusalem.Tell themthat their time of service is finished.Tell them that they have paid for their sins.Tell them that the Lord has punished Jerusalemtwice for every sin they did.”
3. This is the voice of a man who calls out:“Prepare in the desertthe way for the Lord.Make the road in the dry landsstraight for our God.
4. Every valley should be raised up.Every mountain and hill should be made flat.The rough ground should be made level.The rugged ground should be made smooth.
5. Then the glory of the Lord will be shown.All people together will see it.The Lord himself said these things.”
6. A voice says, “Cry out!”Then I said, “What shall I cry out?”“Say all people are like the grass.And all their strength is like the flowers of the field.
7. The grass dies, and the flowers fall.This is because the breath of the Lord blows on them.Surely the people are like grass.
8. The grass dies, and the flowers fall.But the word of our God will live forever.”
9. Jerusalem, you have good news to tell.Go up on a high mountain.Jerusalem, you have good news to tell.Shout out loud the good news.Shout it out and don’t be afraid.Say to the towns of Judah,“Here is your God.”
10. Look, the Lord God is coming with power.He will use his power to rule all the people.Look, he will bring reward for his people.He will have their payment with him.
11. The Lord takes care of his people like a shepherd.He gathers the people like lambs in his arms.He carries them close to him.He gently leads the mothers of the lambs.
12. Who has measured the oceans in the palm of his hand?Who has used his hand to measure the sky?Who has used a bowl to measure all the dust of the earth?Who has used scales to weigh the mountains and hills?
13. Who has known the mind of the Lord?Who has been able to give the Lord advice?
14. Whom did the Lord ask for help?Who taught him the right way?Who taught the Lord knowledge?Who showed him the way to understanding?
15. The nations are like one small drop in a bucket.They are no more than the dust on his measuring scales.To him the islands are no more than fine dust on his scales.
16. All the trees in Lebanon are not enough for the altar fires.And all the animals in Lebanon are not enough for burnt offerings.
17. Compared to the Lord all the nations are worth nothing.To him they are less than nothing.
18. Can you compare God to anything?Can you compare him to an image of anything?
19. An idol is formed by a man.And another man covers it with gold.And he makes silver chains for it.
20. A poor man cannot buy those expensive statues.So he finds a tree that will not rot.And he finds a skilled workmanto make it into an idol that will not fall over.