Study Desk

“There is no peace for the wicked,” says the Lord.

But I myself said: I have labored in vain,I have spent my strength for nothing and futility;yet my vindication is with the Lord,and my reward is with my God.

And now, says the Lord,who formed me from the womb to be his servant,to bring Jacob back to himso that Israel might be gathered to him;for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,and my God is my strength—

he says,“It is not enough for you to be my servantraising up the tribes of Jacoband restoring the protected ones of Israel.I will also make you a light for the nations,to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

They will not hunger or thirst,the scorching heat or sun will not strike them;for their compassionate one will guide them,and lead them to springs.

Shout for joy, you heavens!Earth, rejoice!Mountains break into joyful shouts!For the Lord has comforted his people,and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child,or lack compassion for the child of her womb?Even if these forget,yet I will not forget you.

For your waste and desolate placesand your land marked by ruins—will now be indeed too small for the inhabitants,and those who swallowed you up will be far away.

Yet as you listen, the childrenthat you have been deprived of will say,‘This place is too small for me;make room for me so that I may settle.’

Then you will say within yourself,‘Who fathered these for me?I was deprived of my children and unable to conceive,exiled and wandering—but who brought them up?See, I was left by myself—but these, where did they come from?’”

For this is what the Lord says:“Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken,and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered;I will contend with the one who contends with you,and I will save your children.

For the Lord will comfort Zion;he will comfort all her waste places,and he will make her wilderness like Eden,and her desert like the garden of the Lord.Joy and gladness will be found in her,thanksgiving and melodious song.

Pay attention to me, my people,and listen to me, my nation;for instruction will come from me,and my justice for a light to the nations.I will bring it about quickly.

Look up to the heavens,and look at the earth beneath;for the heavens will vanish like smoke,the earth will wear out like a garment,and its inhabitants will die like gnats.But my salvation will last forever,and my righteousness will never be shattered.

For moths will devour them like a garment,and worms will eat them like wool.But my righteousness will last forever,and my salvation for all generations.

For I am the Lord your Godwho stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—his name is the Lord of Armies.

These two things have happened to you:devastation and destruction,famine and sword.Who will grieve for you?How can I comfort you?

I will put it into the hands of your tormentors,who said to you:Lie down, so we can walk over you.You made your back like the ground,and like a street for those who walk on it.

For this is what the Lord says:“You were sold for nothing,and you will be redeemed without silver.”

For this is what the Lord God says:“At first my people went down to Egypt to reside there,then Assyria oppressed them without cause.