A Promise of the Lord’s Protection
1 Ga 4.27. Sing and shout,
even though you have never
had children!
The Lord has promised that you
will have more children
than someone married
for a long time.
2 Make your tents larger!
Spread out the tent pegs;
fasten them firmly.
3 You and your descendants
will take over the land
of other nations.
You will settle in towns
that are now in ruins.
4 Don’t be afraid or ashamed
and don’t be discouraged.
You won’t be disappointed.
Forget how sinful you were
when you were young;
stop feeling ashamed
for being left a widow.
5 The Lord All-Powerful,
the Holy God of Israel,
rules all the earth.
He is your Creator and husband,
and he will rescue you.
6 You were like a young wife,
brokenhearted and crying
because her husband
had divorced her.
But the Lord your God says,
"I am taking you back!
7 I rejected you for a while,
but with love and tenderness
I will embrace you again.
8 For a while, I turned away
in furious anger.
Now I will have mercy
and love you forever!
I, your protector and Lord,
make this promise."
The Lord Promises Lasting Peace
9 Gn 9.8-17. I once promised Noah that I
would never again destroy
the earth by a flood.
Now I have promised that I
will never again get angry
and punish you.
10 Jdt 16.15. Every mountain and hill
may disappear.
But I will always be kind
and merciful to you;
I won’t break my agreement
to give your nation peace.
The New Jerusalem
11 Rev 21.18-21.Tb 13.16,17. Jerusalem, you are sad
and discouraged,
tossed around in a storm.
But I, the Lord,
will rebuild your city
with precious stones;54.11 with precious stones: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
for your foundation
I will use blue sapphires.
12 Your fortresses54.12 fortresses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
will be built of rubies,
your gates of jewels,
and your walls of gems.
13 Jn 6.45. I will teach your children
and make them successful.
14 You will be built on fairness
with no fears of injustice;
every one of your worries
will be taken far from you.
15 I will never send anyone
to attack your city,
and you will make prisoners
of those who do attack.
16 Don’t forget that I created
metalworkers who make weapons
over burning coals.
I also created armies
that can bring destruction.
17 Weapons made to attack you
won’t be successful;
words spoken against you
won’t hurt at all.
My servants, Jerusalem is yours!
I, the Lord, promise
to bless you with victory.