Dual PanelThe people's lament and God's response
1“WHO is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with his garments stained red, one splendidly attired, striding along with mighty power?” It is I, proclaiming victory, I, who am strong to save.
2“Why are your clothes all red, like the garments of one treading grapes in the winepress?”
3I have trodden the press alone, for none of my people was with me. I trod the nations in my anger, I trampled them in my fury, and their blood bespattered my garments and all my clothing was stained.
4I resolved on a day of vengeance; the year for redeeming my own had come.
5I looked for a helper but found none; I was outraged that no one upheld me; yet my own might brought me victory, my fury alone upheld me.
6I stamped on peoples in my anger, I shattered them in my fury and spilled their blood over the ground.
7I shall recount the LORD's unfailing love, the prowess of the LORD, according to all he has done for us, his great goodness to the house of Israel, what he has done for them in his tenderness and by his many acts of faithful love.
8He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not play me false”; and he became their deliverer
9in all their troubles. No envoy, no angel, but he himself delivered them, redeemed them in his love and pity; he lifted them up and carried them through all the days of old.
10Yet they rebelled and grieved his holy spirit; so he turned hostile to them and himself fought against them.
11Then they recalled days long past and him who drew out his people: where is he who brought up from the Nile the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who put within him his holy spirit,
12who sent his glorious power to walk at Moses' right hand? Where is he who divided the waters before them, to win for himself everlasting renown,
13who brought them through the deep sure-footed as horses in open country,
14like cattle moving down into a valley guided by the spirit of the LORD? Thus you led your people to win yourself a glorious name.
15Look down from heaven and see from the heights where you dwell holy and glorious. Where is your zeal, your valour, your burning and tender love? Do not stand aloof,
16for you are our Father. Though Abraham were not to know us nor Israel to acknowledge us, you, LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from of old is your name.
17Why, LORD, do you let us wander from your ways and harden our hearts until we cease to fear you? Turn again for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your possession.
18Why have the wicked trespassed on your sanctuary, why have our enemies trampled on your shrine?
19We have long been reckoned as beyond your sway, as if we had not been named your own.