1Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, and cry aloud, you who were never in labor; for you have more children than she who has a husband, says the LORD. 2Enlarge your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your homes; do not hold back, lengthen your cords, and reinforce your stakes; 3For you shall spread out to the right and to the left; and your offspring shall occupy the nations, and resettle in abandoned cities. 4Fear not; for you shall not be embarrassed, nor be confounded; for you shall not be frustrated; for you shall no longer remember the shame and reproach of your widowhood. 5For your Maker is your husband; the LORD Almighty is His name; He is your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; He shall be called “The God of the entire earth.” 6For the LORD has called you back like a woman abandoned and grieved in spirit, like a young wife, who was then rejected, says your God. 7“For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion and mercy I will bring you back to Me. 8In a moment of anger, I hid My face from you; but with everlasting kindness I will lavish mercy on you”, says the LORD, your Redeemer. 9“For to Me, this is like the days of Noah; for as I have sworn that the floods of Noah will never again overflow the entire earth; so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. 10Though the mountains may be shaken, and the hills moved; My loving kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall the covenant of My peace be rescinded,” says the LORD, Who has compassion upon you. 11“O afflicted city, tossed by storms, without comfort, behold, I will lay your stones of beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12And I will make your windows of agates, and your gates of sparking jewels, and all your walls of pleasant stones. 13And all your children shall be taught by the LORD, and they shall enjoy great peace. 14In righteousness shall you be established. You shall not know tyranny, nor oppression; you shall not know terror; it shall not assail you. 15Behold, if anyone should attack you, it will not be because I sent them; and whoever does, shall be defeated, for your sake. 16Behold, I have created the blacksmith that blows the coals in the fire, and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the armies that destroy things. 17No weapon that is forged against you shall prevail; and every tongue that rises to accuse you in judgment, you shalt refute. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication from Me, says the LORD. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |