[1] Jerusalem, you have been like a childless woman, but now you can sing and shout for joy. Now you will have more children than a woman whose husband never left her. [2] Make the tent you live in larger; lengthen its ropes and strengthen the pegs! [3] You will extend your boundaries on all sides; your people will get back the land that the other nations now occupy. Cities now deserted will be filled with people. [4] Do not be afraid-you will not be disgraced again; you will not be humiliated. You will forget your unfaithfulness as a young wife, and your desperate loneliness as a widow. [5] Your Creator will be like a husband to you- the LORD Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you- he is the ruler of all the world. [6] Israel, you are like a young wife, deserted by her husband and deeply distressed. But the LORD calls you back to him and says: [7] "For one brief moment I left you; with deep love I will take you back. [8] I turned away angry for only a moment, but I will show you my love forever." So says the LORD who saves you. [9] "In the time of Noah I promised never again to flood the earth. Now I promise not to be angry with you again; I will not reprimand or punish you. [10] The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace." So says the LORD who loves you. [11] The LORD says, "O Jerusalem, you suffering, helpless city, with no one to comfort you, I will rebuild your foundations with precious stones. [12] I will build your towers with rubies, your gates with stones that glow like fire, and the wall around you with jewels. [13] "I myself will teach your people and give them prosperity and peace. [14] Justice and right will make you strong. You will be safe from oppression and terror. [15] Whoever attacks you, does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall. [16] "I create the blacksmith, who builds a fire and forges weapons. I also create the soldier, who uses the weapons to kill. [17] But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory." The LORD has spoken.
