Isaiah 55

1Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters, and whoever has no money, come, buy, and eat; come, buy wine and milk for no money and no price.

2Why do you spend silver for what is not bread, your labor for what brings no satisfaction? Listen closely to me, eat what is good, and let your soul delight in rich food.

3Incline your ear and come to me; hear, and your soul will live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, the faithful mercies of David.

4Behold, I have appointed him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander to the peoples.

5See, you will call a nation you do not know, and a nation that did not know you will run to you because of Yahweh your God and for the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

6Seek Yahweh while he can be found; call him while he is near.

7Let the wicked abandon his way, and the man of iniquity his plans; let him return to Yahweh, and he will show him compassion—to our God, for he forgives generously.

8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, declares Yahweh.

9For as the heavens tower over the earth, so do my ways tower over your ways, and my thoughts over your thoughts.

10For as the rain and snow descend from the heavens and do not return there, but water the earth and make it bear and bud, providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater.

11So my word will be—the one that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, for it will accomplish what I desire and succeed in what I send it.

12For you will go out rejoicing and be led in peace; mountains and hills will burst forth before you with joyful shouts, and all the trees of the field will clap hands.

13Instead of the thorn the fir will grow, and instead of the brier the myrtle will grow; and it will be to Yahweh for a name, for an everlasting sign that will not be cut off.