The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 54 The Progress and Glory of the Church

 The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 54

The Progress and Glory of the Church

1 Sing joyfully, O barren one, you who did not give birth; break forth into joyful song and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor; for more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who is married, says the Lord.

2 Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

3 For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations and will inhabit the desolate cities.

4 Do not fear, for you will not be put to shame; neither be disgraced, for you will not be confounded; for you will forget the shame of your youth and will no longer remember the reproach of your widowhood.

5 For your Maker is your husband; The Lord of hosts is his name, and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he will be called the God of all the earth.

6 For the Lord has called you like a forsaken and grieved woman, like a wife of youth who is despised, says your God.

7 For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you.

8 In great anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer.

9 For this is like the waters of Noah to me; for I have sworn that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you again, nor rebuke you.

10 Though the mountains depart and the hills be removed, my unfailing love will not depart from you, nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

11 O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted! Behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay their foundations with sapphires.

12 I will make your windows of crystal, your gates of rubies, and all your borders of precious stones.

13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by me; whoever gathers against you shall fall for your sake.

16 Behold, I have created the blacksmith who blows the coals of fire and who produces the tool for his work; I have also created the destroyer to destroy.

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from me, declares the Lord.