17. ‘See, I will createnew heavens and a new earth.The former things will not be remembered,nor will they come to mind.
18. But be glad and rejoice for everin what I will create,for I will create Jerusalem to be a delightand its people a joy.
19. I will rejoice over Jerusalemand take delight in my people;the sound of weeping and of cryingwill be heard in it no more.
20. ‘Never again will there be in itan infant who lives but a few days,or an old man who does not live out his years;the one who dies at a hundredwill be thought a mere child;the one who fails to reach a hundredwill be considered accursed.
21. They will build houses and dwell in them;they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22. No longer will they build houses and others live in them,or plant and others eat.For as the days of a tree,so will be the days of my people;my chosen ones will long enjoythe work of their hands.
23. They will not labour in vain,nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune;for they will be a people blessed by the Lord,they and their descendants with them.