CHAPTER 66
This is what
the LORD
says:
“Heaven
is My throne,
and earth
is My footstool.
What kind
of house
will you build
for Me?
Or where will be
My place
of repose?
Has not My hand
made
all
these things?
And so they
came into being,
declares
the LORD.
This is the one
I will esteem:
he who is humble
and contrite
in spirit,
who trembles
at
My word.
Whoever slaughters
an ox
is like one who slays
a man;
whoever sacrifices
a lamb
is like one who breaks a dog’s
neck;
whoever presents
a grain offering
is like one who offers
pig’s
blood;
whoever offers incense
is like one who praises
an idol.
Indeed,
they
have chosen
their own ways
and delighted
in their abominations.
So
I
will choose
their punishment
and I will bring
terror
upon them,
because
I called
and no
one answered,
I spoke
and no one
listened.
But they did
what was evil
in My sight
and chose
that in which
I did not
delight."
You who tremble
at
His word,
hear
the word
of the LORD:
“Your brothers
who hate
and exclude you
because of
My name
have said,
‘Let the LORD
be glorified
that we may see
your joy!’
But they
will be put to shame.”
Hear
the uproar
from the city;
listen to the voice
from the temple!
It is the voice
of the LORD,
repaying
His enemies
what they deserve!
Who
has heard
of such as this?
Who
has seen
such things?
Can a country
be born
in a
day
or
a nation
be delivered
in an instant?
Yet
as soon as Zion
was in labor,
she gave birth to
her children.
Shall I
bring a baby to the point of birth
and not
deliver it?”
says
the LORD.
“Or
will I
who deliver
close the womb?”
says
your God.
Be glad
for
Jerusalem
and rejoice over her,
all
who love her.
Rejoice greatly
with her,
all
who mourn
over her,
so that
you may nurse
and be satisfied
at her comforting
breasts;
you may drink deeply
and delight yourselves
in her glorious
abundance.
For
this is what
the LORD
says:
I will extend
peace
to her
like a river,
and the wealth
of nations
like a flowing
stream;
you will nurse
and be carried
on
her arm,
and bounced
upon
her knees.
When you see,
you
will rejoice,
and you
will flourish
like grass;
then the hand
of the LORD
will be revealed
to
His servants,
but His wrath will be shown
to His enemies.
For
behold,
the LORD
will come
with fire—
His chariots
are like the whirlwind—
to execute
His anger
with fury
and His rebuke
with flames
of fire.
For
by fire
and by His sword,
the LORD
will execute judgment
on
all
flesh,
and many
will be slain
by the LORD.
“Those who dedicate
and purify
themselves to
enter the groves—
to follow
one
in the midst
of those who eat
the flesh
of swine
and vermin
and rats—
will perish
together,”
declares
the LORD.
“For I know
their works
and thoughts;
the time is coming
to gather
all
nations
and tongues,
and they will come
and see
My glory.
I will establish
a sign among them,
and I will send
survivors
from among them
to Tarshish,
Put,
and Lud
the archers,
to Tubal,
Javan,
and the islands
far away,
and to
the nations
who
have not
heard
of My fame
or seen
My glory.
So they will proclaim
My glory
among the nations.
And they will bring
all
your brothers
from all
the nations
as a gift
to the LORD
on horses
and chariots
and wagons,
on mules
and camels,
to
My holy
mountain
Jerusalem,”
says
the LORD,
“just as
the Israelites
bring
an offering
in a clean
vessel
to the house
of the LORD.
“For
just as
the new
heavens
and the new
earth,
which
I
will make,
will endure
before Me,”
declares
the LORD,
“so
your descendants
and your name
will endure.
From
one New Moon
to another
and from
one Sabbath
to another,
all
mankind
will come
to worship
before Me,”
says
the LORD.
“As they go forth,
they will see
the corpses
of the men
who have rebelled against Me;
for
their worm
will never
die,
their fire
will never
be quenched,
and they will be
a horror
to all
mankind.”