Isaiah 51:9-23

9Wake up, Lord! Get ready to show your strength! Do great things, as you did in past days, when our ancestors were alive. Remember how you cut the monster, Rahab, into pieces.

10You made the sea become dry, so that there was a path through the deep water. The slaves that you rescued could then cross over.

11The people that the Lord has rescued will return from exile. They will sing with joy while they go into Zion city. Their joy will be like a crown that they wear on their heads for ever. They will continue to be very happy. They will never be sad or weep again.

12‘I am the Lord who comforts you. You do not need to be afraid of people who are only human. Remember that they will all die one day, like grass that only lives for a short time.

13Do not forget about the Lord who made you! I hung up the sky like a curtain. I made the foundation of the earth. So why are you always shaking with fear? Do not be afraid when your enemy is angry, and he is ready to attack you. Your enemy's anger is useless!

14The people who have trouble and pain will soon become free. They will not stay in the prison of death. They will have all the food that they need.

15Remember that I am the Lord your God. I shake the sea so that its waves roar! My name is the Lord Almighty.

16I have given you my message to speak on my behalf. I have kept you safe in my hand. I hung up the sky like a curtain, and I made the foundation of the earth. I say to Zion, “You are my people.” ’

17Wake up, people in Jerusalem! Get ready! The Lord has been angry with you, and he has punished you. You had to receive all of his anger, like you were drinking strong wine from a cup. Now that you have drunk it all, you cannot stand up straight!

18Among all of Jerusalem's people, there was nobody left to be your leader. There was nobody who could take care of you.

19War and famine have destroyed you. Both those terrible things have happened to you. Who feels sorry for you? Who is there to comfort you?

20Your children have become weak, and they lie on the ground at the side of every street. They are like deer that a trap has caught. The anger of the Lord your God has made them helpless. He has warned them loudly.

21So listen to this, you people who are in trouble. You walk like drunk people, but wine has not done that to you.

22The Lord God who is your Lord stands beside his people. He says, ‘Look! Now I have taken the cup of my punishment out of your hand. You will no longer have to drink the strong wine of my anger that makes you drunk.

23Instead, I will give it to your cruel enemies to punish them. They said to you, “Lie down on the ground, so that we can walk over you.” You made your backs become like the ground. You became like a street for your enemies to walk on.’