Study Desk

So a long time ago I told you about these things; I told you about them before they happened so you couldn't say, ‘My idols did this, and my wooden and metal statues made these things happen.'

"You heard and saw everything that happened, so you should tell this news to others. Now I will tell you about new things, hidden things that you don't know yet.

These things are happening now, not long ago; you have not heard about them before today. So you cannot say, ‘We already knew about that.'

The Lord made me in the body of my mother to be his servant, to lead the people of Jacob back to him so that Israel might be gathered to him. The Lord will honor me, and I will get my strength from my God.

Then you will say to yourself, ‘Who gave me all these children? I was sad and lonely, defeated and separated from my people. So who reared these children? I was left all alone. Where did all these children come from?'"

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach so that I know what to say to make the weak strong. Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student.

The Lord God helps me, so I will not be ashamed. I will be determined, and I know I will not be disgraced.

He shows that I am innocent, and he is close to me. So who can accuse me? If there is someone, let us go to court together. If someone wants to prove I have done wrong, he should come and tell me.

Look! It is the Lord God who helps me. So who can prove me guilty? Look! All those who try will become useless like old clothes; moths will eat them.

But instead, some of you want to light your own fires and make your own light. So, go, walk in the light of your fires, and trust your own light to guide you. But this is what you will receive from me: You will lie down in a place of pain.

So the Lord will comfort Jerusalem; he will show mercy to those who live in her ruins. He will change her deserts into a garden like Eden; he will make her empty lands like the garden of the Lord . People there will be very happy; they will give thanks and sing songs.

The Lord says, "I am the one who comforts you. So why should you be afraid of people, who die? Why should you fear people who die like the grass?

So listen to me, poor Jerusalem, you who are drunk but not from wine.

I will now give that cup of punishment to those who gave you pain, who told you, ‘Bow down so we can walk over you.' They made your back like dirt for them to walk on; you were like a street for them to travel on."

This is what the Lord says: "You were not sold for a price, so you will be saved without cost."

This has happened so my people will know who I am, and so, on that future day, they will know that I am the one speaking to them. It will really be me."

Many people were shocked when they saw him. His appearance was so damaged he did not look like a man; his form was so changed they could barely tell he was human.

I will build you using fairness. You will be safe from those who would hurt you, so you will have nothing to fear. Nothing will come to make you afraid.

So no weapon that is used against you will defeat you. You will show that those who speak against you are wrong. These are the good things my servants receive. Their victory comes from me," says the Lord .

Come to me and listen; listen to me so you may live. I will make an agreement with you that will last forever. I will give you the blessings I promised to David.