54:1 Sing, barren, you who didn't bear; break forth into singing, and cry
aloud, you who did not travail with child: for more are the children of the
desolate than the children of the married wife, says Yahweh.
54:2 Enlarge
the place of your tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of your
habitations; don't spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.
54:3 For you shall spread aboard on the right hand and on the left; and your
seed shall possess the nations, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
54:4 Don't be afraid; for you shall not be ashamed: neither be
confounded; for you shall not be disappointed: for you shall forget the shame of
your youth; and the reproach of your widowhood you shall remember no more.
54:5 For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Armies is his name:
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth shall he
be called.
54:6 For Yahweh has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in
spirit, even a wife of youth, when she is cast off, says your God.
54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies
will I gather you.
54:8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a
moment; but with everlasting loving kindness will I have mercy on you, says
Yahweh your Redeemer.
54:9 For this is [as] the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn
that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I
will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.
54:10 For the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed; but
my loving kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall my covenant of peace
be removed, says Yahweh who has mercy on you.
54:11 You afflicted, tossed
with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful
colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
54:12 I will make your
pinnacles of rubies, and your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of
precious stones.
54:13 All your children shall be taught of Yahweh; and
great shall be the peace of your children.
54:14 In righteousness you shall
be established: you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not be afraid;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
54:15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me: whoever
shall gather together against you shall fall because of you.
54:16 Behold, I
have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and brings forth a weapon
for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
54:17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and you
will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the
heritage of the servants of Yahweh, and their righteousness which is of me, says
Yahweh.