Isaiah 66

“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
    What kind of house will you build to me?
    Where will I rest?
² For my hand has made all these things,
    and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh:
“but I will look to this man,
    even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
    and who trembles at my word.
³ He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man;
    he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck;
    he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood;
    he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol.
Yes, they have chosen their own ways,
    and their soul delights in their abominations:
⁴ I also will choose their delusions,
    and will bring their fears on them;
because when I called, no one answered;
    when I spoke, they didn’t listen;
but they did that which was evil in my eyes,
    and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”

⁵ Hear Yahweh’s word,
    you who tremble at his word:
“Your brothers who hate you,
    who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said,
‘Let Yahweh be glorified,
    that we may see your joy;’
    but it is those who shall be disappointed.
⁶ A voice of tumult from the city,
    a voice from the temple,
    a voice of Yahweh that repays his enemies what they deserve.

⁷ “Before she travailed, she gave birth.
    Before her pain came, she delivered a son.
⁸ Who has heard of such a thing?
    Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
    Shall a nation be born at once?
For as soon as Zion travailed,
    she gave birth to her children.
⁹ Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says Yahweh.
    “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your God.

¹⁰ “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her.
    Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;
¹¹ that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts;
    that you may drink deeply,
    and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”

¹² For Yahweh says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
    and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
    and you will nurse.
You will be carried on her side,
    and will be dandled on her knees.
¹³ As one whom his mother comforts,
    so I will comfort you.
    You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”

¹⁴ You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice,
    and your bones will flourish like the tender grass.
Yahweh’s hand will be known among his servants;
    and he will have indignation against his enemies.

¹⁵ For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire,
    and his chariots will be like the whirlwind;
to render his anger with fierceness,
    and his rebuke with flames of fire.
¹⁶ For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh;
    and those slain by Yahweh will be many.