Isaiah 66
1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house could you build for me? And what place could be my resting place?
2 My hand made all these things, and so they all came to be,” says the LORD. “But I look with favor on this one: the afflicted, humble in spirit, who trembles at my word.
3 Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who strikes a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever presents a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood; whoever burns incense is like one who blesses an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they take pleasure in their detestable practices.
4 I too will choose harsh treatment for them and bring on them what they fear. For I called, and no one answered; I spoke, and they did not listen. They did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not want.”
5 Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your own brothers, who hate you and drive you out because of my name, have said, ‘Let the LORD show his glory, so we can see your joy!’ But they will be the ones put to shame.”
6 A sound of tumult comes from the city, a sound from the temple! It is the sound of the LORD repaying his enemies as they deserve.
7 Before she felt the pains, she gave birth; before labor came upon her, she bore a son.
8 Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen anything like it? Can a land be born in a single day? Can a nation come to birth all at once? Yet as soon as Zion went into labor, she gave birth to her children.
9 “Would I open the womb and not bring a birth?” says the LORD. “Would I, who bring birth, shut the womb?” says your God.
10 Rejoice with Jerusalem and celebrate because of her, all you who love her! Rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn for her!
11 Then you will nurse and be satisfied at the breast that comforts her; you will drink deeply and delight in her abundant glory.
12 For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like a flooding stream. You will nurse, be carried in her arms, and bounced on her knees.”
13 As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; in Jerusalem you will be comforted.
14 You will see, and your heart will rejoice; your bones will flourish like grass. The LORD’s hand will be made known to his servants, and his indignation to his enemies.
15 Look, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like a whirlwind, to pour out his anger in fury and his rebuke in flames of fire.
16 For the LORD will judge all humanity with fire and with his sword. Many will be slain by the LORD.
17 Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the gardens, following one who stands in the middle, those who eat pig’s meat, detestable things, and mice—all of them will come to an end, says the LORD.
18 Because of their deeds and plans, I am coming to gather all nations and languages. They will come and see my glory.
19 I will set a sign among them and send some of their survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, and to the distant islands that have not heard of me or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations.
20 They will bring all your brothers from every nation as an offering to the LORD. They will come on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain, Jerusalem, says the LORD. It will be like when the Israelites bring a grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD.
21 And from among them I will also take some to be priests and Levites, says the LORD.
22 For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I am making will remain before me,” says the LORD, “so your descendants and your name will remain.
23 From one new moon to the next and from one Sabbath to the next, all humanity will come to bow down before me, says the LORD.
24 They will go out and look at the corpses of those who rebelled against me. For their worm will not die, their fire will not be quenched, and they will be a horror to all humanity.
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