Isaiah 51

1Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: look to the rock you were cut from, and to the quarry of the pit you were dug from.

2Consider Abraham your father and Sarah who brought you forth; for he was one when I called him, and I blessed him, and I multiplied him.

3For Yahweh has comforted Zion; he has comforted all her desolations and made her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of Yahweh; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4Listen to me, my people, and pay attention to me, my nation; for a law will come from me, and I will establish my justice as a light for the peoples.

5My righteousness is at hand, my salvation has appeared, and my arms will judge the nations; the islands will wait upon me, and on my arm they will hope.

6Lift your eyes to the heavens and gaze at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those dwelling in it will die likewise, but my salvation will endure forever, and my righteousness will never fail.

7Listen to me, you who know righteousness, people who have my law in their hearts; do not fear men's reproach, nor be dismayed at their revilings.

8For a moth will consume them like a garment, and a worm like wool; but my righteousness will endure forever, and my salvation for generation after generation.

9Awake, awake; clothe yourself with strength, arm of Yahweh—awake as in the days of old, the generations of ancient times. Is it not you who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon?

10Aren't you the one who dried the sea, waters of the great deep, who set the sea's depths as a path for the redeemed to cross?

11The ransomed of Yahweh will return and arrive at Zion with joyful cries, everlasting joy crowning their heads. They will attain gladness and joy, while sorrow and sighing flee.

12I, even I, am he who comforts you—who are you, that you fear man who dies, and son of man made as grass?

13And you forget Yahweh your maker, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth, and you fear continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as he prepares to destroy? Where is the fury of the oppressor?

14The captive exile hastens to be released so he will not die in the pit, nor lack his bread.

15But I am Yahweh your God, who stirs the sea so its waves roar; Yahweh of hosts is his name.

16I placed my words in your mouth and hid you in the shadow of my hand, to plant the heavens, lay foundations for the earth, and say to Zion, "You are my people."

17Rouse yourself, rouse yourself; arise, Jerusalem, you who drank from the hand of Yahweh the cup of his anger; you drank the dregs of the staggering cup and drained it.

18None leads her among all the sons she bore, nor anyone who grasps her hand among all the sons she raised.

19These two have befallen you—who will bemoan you?—desolation and destruction, famine and sword; how am I to comfort you?

20Your sons have swooned and lie at the head of every street like a wild ox in a net; they are filled with the wrath of Yahweh, the rebuke of your God.

21Therefore hear this now, you afflicted and drunken, but not from wine.

22Thus says your Lord Yahweh and your God who contends for his people: See, I have taken from your hand the cup of staggering, the dregs of the cup of my wrath; you shall drink it no more.

23I will put it into the hand of those who oppress you, who said to your soul, "Bow down, that we may pass over"; and you laid your back like the ground, like the street, for those passing over.