Dual Panel1Sing, barren woman who never bore a child; break into a shout of joy, you that have never been in labour; for the deserted wife will have more children than she who lives with her husband, says the LORD.
2Enlarge the space for your dwelling, extend the curtains of your tent to the full; let out its ropes and drive the tent-pegs home;
3for you will spread from your confines right and left, your descendants will dispossess nations and will people cities now desolate.
4Fear not, you will not be put to shame; do not be downcast, you will not suffer disgrace. It is time to forget the shame of your younger days and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood;
5for your husband is your Maker; his name is the LORD of Hosts. He who is called God of all the earth, the Holy One of Israel, is your redeemer.
6The LORD has acknowledged you a wife again, once deserted and heart-broken; your God regards you as a wife still young, though you were once cast off.
7For a passing moment I forsook you, but with tender affection I shall bring you home again.
8In an upsurge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment; but now have I pitied you with never-failing love, says the LORD, your Redeemer.
9For this to me is like the days of Noah; as I swore that the waters of Noah's flood should never again pour over the earth, so now I swear to you never again to be angry with you or rebuke you.
10Though the mountains may move and the hills shake, my love will be immovable and never fail, and my covenant promising peace will not be shaken, says the LORD in his pity for you.
11Storm-battered city, distressed and desolate, now I shall set your stones in the finest mortar and lay your foundations with sapphires;
12I shall make your battlements of red jasper and your gates of garnet; all your boundary stones will be precious jewels.
13Your children will all be instructed by the LORD, and they will enjoy great prosperity.
14You will be restored triumphantly. You will be free from oppression and have nothing to fear; you will be free from terror, for it will not come near you.
15Should anyone attack you, it will not be my doing; for his attempt the aggressor will perish.
16It was I who created the smith to fan the coals in the fire and forge weapons for every purpose; and I created the destroyer to deal out havoc.
17But the weapon that will prevail against you has not been made, and the accuser who rises in court against you will be refuted. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their victory comes from me. This is the word of the LORD.