Jacob Continues to Read Isaiah's Words

Through Isaiah the Lord said, “Listen, all who desire righteousness. Remember your fine heritage. Remember Abraham your father, and Sarah your mother. For I, the Lord, called and blessed them. Because of their blessing, I will comfort Zion, and all the deserts will become like the Garden of Eden. And in this paradise, there will be joy, thanksgiving, and singing. Listen, my people—my nation. For my law and judgments will be a light for the people. I will be near, my salvation will go forth, and I will judge them.

“The continents will obey me, trusting my power. You will see the heavens, the earth, and all its inhabitants pass away. But my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness never-ending.

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, who have my law written in your hearts. Do not fear what men can do, for they will fade as a cloth eaten by moths. But my righteousness and salvation will endure forever—through all generations of time.”

Isaiah continues: “Awake and arise! Clothe yourself with the Lord’s power. As the Lord subdued His enemies in ancient times, He will also subdue your enemies! The Lord’s power will dry up the sea, making it a highway for His people to escape their enemies. In the last days, this is how the redeemed of the Lord will return. For the Lord says, ‘I, the Lord, am He who will comfort you, oh house of Israel. Now why should you be afraid of men, who will wither as the summer grass? And how can you forget the Lord, who created you, the heavens, and the earth? How can you fear even a furious oppressor, as if he could destroy you? Where is the fury of your oppressor now? Soon those held captive will be set free. They will not die of starvation nor die in prison, for I am the Lord thy God—The Lord of Hosts, who created the roaring waves. I will give you my words and my protection as I make a new heaven and new earth. Awake and arise, oh Jews, who have felt the hand of my wrath. Of all your sons, none can guide or deliver you from this wrath. Only these two sons (desolation and destruction—famine and the sword) will come to you, bringing you sorrow. Then who will I send to comfort you? Your sons have fainted, except these two, which are at the head of all your streets, full of the Lord’s rebuke, like a wild bull caught in a net.’ ”

Isaiah continues: “Now hear what the Lord will do for His afflicted people who have gone astray. After He pleads their cause to the Father and takes away the bitter cup of His fury, the Jews will not drink from it again. The cup will be given to those who have afflicted the Jews—those who have beaten them down and walked over them as if they were dust. Therefore, awake and arise with power, oh Zion! Your city will be holy and beautiful, oh Jerusalem! For soon no one who is unclean will come to you. Your oppression will be over, oh Jerusalem, and you will be free, oh captive daughter of Zion (New Jerusalem).”