Study Desk

Here is what Adonai says: "At the time when I choose, I will answer you; on the day of salvation, I will help you. I have preserved you, and I have appointed you to be the covenant for a people, to restore the land and distribute again its ruined inheritances to their owners,

They will be neither hungry nor thirsty; neither scorching wind nor sun will strike them; for he who has mercy on them will lead them and guide them to springs of water.

Sing, heaven! Rejoice, earth! Break out in song, you mountains! For Adonai is comforting his people, having mercy on his own who have suffered.

For your desolate places and ruins and your devastated land will be too cramped for those living in it; your devourers will be far away.

The day will come when the children born when you were mourning will say to you, "This place is too cramped for me! Give me room, so I can live!"

Then you will ask yourself, "Who fathered these for me? I've been mourning my children, alone, as an exile, wandering to and fro; so who has raised these? I was left alone, so where have these come from?"

Adonai Elohim answers: "I am beckoning to the nations, raising my banner for the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.

Kings will be your foster-fathers, their princesses your nurses. They will bow to you, face toward the earth, and lick the dust on your feet. Then you will know that I am Adonai — those who wait for me will not be sorry."

Why was no one here when I came? Why, when I called, did nobody answer? Is my arm too short to redeem? Have I too little power to save? With my rebuke I dry up the sea; I turn rivers into desert, their fish rot for lack of water and they die of thirst;

For Adonai Elohim will help. This is why no insult can wound me. This is why I have set my face like flint, knowing I will not be put to shame.

For Adonai will comfort Tziyon, will comfort all her ruined places, will make her desert like ‘Eden, her ‘Aravah like the garden of Adonai . Joy and gladness will be there, thanksgiving and the sound of music.

"Pay attention to me, my people! My nation, listen to me! For Torah will go out from me; I will calm them with my justice as a light for the peoples.

For the moth will eat them up like clothing, the worm will eat them like wool; but my justice will be forever, and my salvation for all generations."

Wasn't it you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; you who made the sea bottom a road for the redeemed to cross?

For I am Adonai your God, who stirs up the sea, who makes its waves roar — Adonai -Tzva'ot is my name.

I will put it in the hands of your tormentors, who said to you, ‘Bend down, so we can trample you,' and you flattened your back on the ground like a street for them to walk on."

Awake! Awake, Tziyon! Clothe yourself with your strength! Dress in your splendid garments, Yerushalayim, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean will enter you no more.

For thus says Adonai : "You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money."

For thus says Adonai Elohim : "Long ago my people went down to Egypt to live there as aliens, and Ashur oppressed them for no reason.

So now, what should I do here," asks Adonai , "since my people were carried off for nothing? Their oppressors are howling," says Adonai , "and my name is always being insulted, daily.