Isaiah 26:16-21

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.

19But Lord, your people who have died will live again. Their bodies will rise up from their graves. You people who live in the ground, wake up! Shout because you are happy. You bring new life to the earth, like dew that comes in the morning. Dead people will come up from the earth and they will live again.

20My people, go into your homes. Shut the doors and hide yourselves for a short time. Wait there until the Lord is not angry any more.

21Look! Now the Lord is coming from the place where he lives. He is coming to punish the people who live on the earth for their sins. The earth will clearly show the blood that murderers poured out on it. Murderers will no longer be able to hide the people that they have killed.