8. This is what the Lord says:“At the right time I will hear your prayers.On the day of salvation I will help you.I will protect you.And you will be the sign of my agreement with the people.You will bring back the people to the land.You will give the land that is now ruined back to its owners.
9. You will tell the prisoners, ‘Come out of your prison.’You will tell those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’The people will eat beside the roads.They will find food even on bare hills.
10. They will not be hungry or thirsty.Neither the hot sun nor the desert wind will hurt them.The God who comforts them will lead them.He will lead them by springs of water.
11. I will make my mountains into roads for my people.And the roads will be raised up.
12. Look, people are coming to me from far away.They are coming from the north and from the west.They are coming from Aswan in southern Egypt.”
13. Heavens and earth, be happy.Mountains, shout with joy.Be happy because the Lord comforts his people.He will comfort those who suffer.
14. But Jerusalem said, “The Lord has left me.The Lord has forgotten me.”
15. The Lord answers, “Can a woman forget the baby she nurses?Can she feel no kindness for the child she gave birth to?Even if she could forget her children,I will not forget you.