Isaiah 49:8-16

8This is what the Lord says: I will answer you in a time of favor, and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land, to make them possess the desolate inheritances,

9saying to the prisoners, “Come out,” and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.” They will feed along the pathways, and their pastures will be on all the barren heights.

10They will not hunger or thirst, the scorching heat or sun will not strike them; for their compassionate one will guide them, and lead them to springs.

11I will make all my mountains into a road, and my highways will be raised up.

12See, these will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Sinim.

13Shout for joy, you heavens! Earth, rejoice! Mountains break into joyful shouts! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

14Zion says, “The Lord has abandoned me; the Lord has forgotten me!”

15“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.

16Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.