Dual Panel1These are the words of the LORD: The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where will you build a house for me, where will my resting-place be?
2These are all of my own making, and all belong to me. This is the word of the LORD. The one for whom I have regard is oppressed and afflicted, one who reveres my word.
3Sacrificing an ox is like killing a man, slaughtering a sheep like breaking a dog's neck, making an offering of grain like offering pigs' blood, burning frankincense as a token like worshipping an idol. Because people have adopted these practices and revelled in loathsome rites,
4I in turn shall adopt a wilful course and bring on them the very things they dread, since, when I called, no one responded, when I spoke, no one listened. They did what was wrong in my sight and chose what displeased me.
5Hear the word of the LORD, you that revere his word: Your fellow-countrymen, who are hostile to you and spurn you because you bear my name, have said, “Let the LORD show his glory, that we may see you rejoice!” But they themselves will be put to shame.
6That roar from the city, that uproar in the temple, is the sound of the LORD dealing retribution to his foes.
7Without birth-pains Zion has given birth, borne a son before the onset of labour.
8Who has heard of anything like this? Who has witnessed such a thing? Can a country be born in a single day, a nation be brought to birth in a trice? Yet Zion, at the onset of her pangs, bore her children.
9Shall I bring to the point of birth and not deliver? says the LORD; shall I who deliver close the womb? says your God
10Rejoice with Jerusalem and exult in her, all you that love her; share her joy with all your heart, all you that mourned over her.
11Then you may suck comfort from her and be satisfied, taking with enjoyment her plentiful milk.
12These are the words of the LORD: I shall make prosperity flow over her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a stream in spate; her babes will be carried in her arms and dandled on her knees.
13As a mother comforts her son so shall I myself comfort you; in Jerusalem you will find comfort.
14At the sight your heart will be glad, you will flourish like grass in spring; the LORD will make his power known among his servants and his indignation felt among his foes.
15See, the LORD is coming in fire, his chariots like a whirlwind, bringing retribution with his furious anger and with the flaming fire of his rebukes.
16The LORD will judge with fire, by his sword he will test all mankind, and many will be slain by him.
17Those who consecrate and purify themselves for garden-rites, one after another in a magic ring, those who eat swine flesh, rats, and vile vermin will all meet their end, says the LORD,
18for I know their deeds and their thoughts. I am coming to gather peoples of every tongue; they will come to see my glory.
19I shall put a sign on them, and those survivors I shall send to the nations, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, to Meshech, Rosh, Tubal, and Javan, distant shores which have never yet heard of me or seen my glory; these will declare that glory among the nations.
20From every nation your countrymen will be brought on horses, in chariots and wagons, on mules and dromedaries, as an offering to the LORD on my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites themselves bring grain-offerings in purified vessels to the LORD's house;
21and some of them I shall take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD.
22As the new heavens and the new earth which I am making will endure before me, says the LORD, so will your posterity and your name endure.
23Month after month at the new moon, week after week on the sabbath, all mankind will come to bow before me, says the LORD.
24As they go out they will see the corpses of those who rebelled against me, where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is not quenched. All mankind will view them with horror.