Isaiah 26:16-18

16Lord, when your people had trouble, they came to you for help. When you punished them, they turned to you and they prayed.

17Because of your punishment, Lord, we had much pain. We were like a woman who is giving birth and she cries out with pain.

18Yes, it seemed like we were pregnant and ready to give birth. But we could only give birth to wind! We could not do anything to make the land safe. We have no descendants who will bring new life to the world.