Study Desk

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good,” for he thought: There will be peace and security during my lifetime.

“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and announce to herthat her time of forced labor is over,her iniquity has been pardoned,and she has received from the Lord’s handdouble for all her sins.”

And the glory of the Lord will appear,and all humanity together will see it,for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Lebanon’s cedars are not enough for fuel,or its animals enough for a burnt offering.

With whom will you compare God?What likeness will you set up for comparison with him?

An idol?—something that a smelter castsand a metalworker plates with goldand makes silver chains for?

A poor person contributes wood for a pedestalthat will not rot.He looks for a skilled craftsmanto set up an idol that will not fall over.

Do not fear, for I am with you;do not be afraid, for I am your God.I will strengthen you; I will help you;I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

You will look for those who contend with you,but you will not find them.Those who war against youwill become absolutely nothing.

For I am the Lord your God,who holds your right hand,who says to you, ‘Do not fear,I will help you.

He will not grow weak or be discourageduntil he has established justice on earth.The coasts and islands will wait for his instruction.”

“I am the Lord. I have called youfor a righteous purpose,and I will hold you by your hand.I will watch over you, and I will appoint youto be a covenant for the peopleand a light to the nations,

Let the desert and its cities shout,the settlements where Kedar dwells cry aloud.Let the inhabitants of Sela sing for joy;let them cry out from the mountaintops.

I will lead the blind by a way they did not know;I will guide them on paths they have not known.I will turn darkness to light in front of themand rough places into level ground.This is what I will do for them,and I will not abandon them.

For I am the Lord your God,the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,Cush and Seba in your place.

Because you are precious in my sightand honored, and I love you,I will give people in exchange for youand nations instead of your life.

Do not fear, for I am with you;I will bring your descendants from the east,and gather you from the west.

everyone who bears my nameand is created for my glory.I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

The people I formed for myselfwill declare my praise.

You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offeringsor honored me with your sacrifices.I have not burdened you with offeringsor wearied you with incense.