[1] "Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry
aloud, you who have not been in travail! For the children of the desolate
one will be more than the children of her that is married, says the LORD.
[2] Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your
habitations be stretched out; hold not back, lengthen your cords and
strengthen your stakes. [3] For you will spread abroad to the right and to
the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will people the
desolate cities. [4] "Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not
confounded, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame
of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no
more. [5] For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he
is called. [6] For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved
in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. [7]
For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather
you. [8] In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with
everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your
Redeemer. [9] "For this is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the
waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I
will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. [10] For the mountains
may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart
from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who
has compassion on you. [11] "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not
comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your
foundations with sapphires. [12] I will make your pinnacles of agate, your
gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. [13] All your
sons shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your
sons. [14] In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from
oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come
near you. [15] If any one stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs
up strife with you shall fall because of you. [16] Behold, I have created
the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon for its
purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; [17] no weapon that is
fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue
that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of
the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD."
