Isaiah 51:1-8

1‘Listen to me, you people who want to do what is right. You people who want to serve the Lord, listen to me! Think about the rock that you are a part of. Think about the ground that they dug you out from.

2You all started from your ancestor Abraham, and his wife Sarah. When I first spoke to Abraham, he had no children. But I blessed him, so that he had many descendants.’

3Surely, the Lord will comfort Zion's people. He will take care of the buildings that enemies have destroyed. Zion's land that is now a wilderness will become like the beautiful Garden of Eden. It will be the Lord's own garden! People will be happy again in Zion. They will sing with joy to thank God.

4‘Listen to me, my people. Listen carefully, my nation. I will tell all people about my laws. I will cause my justice to be like a light to all nations.

5I am ready to do what is right for them. I am ready to save them. I will judge all the nations fairly. Lands that are far away will wait for me to help them. They wait for me to come and rule them all with power.

6Look up at the sky! Look down at the earth below! One day, the sky will disappear like smoke that blows away. The earth will become useless, like old clothes. The people who live on it will die. They will fall like flies. But I will keep my people safe for ever. I will always rule with righteousness.

7Listen to me, you people who know what is right. You people who think carefully about my law, listen to me. When people speak against you, do not be afraid. Do not be upset, when they insult you.

8Those people will soon disappear, like clothes that moths have eaten, like wool that worms have eaten. But I will always rule with righteousness. I will keep my people safe for ever.’