The Eternal Covenant of Peace

1Sing, O barren one who did not bear;

burst into song and shout,

you who have not been in labour!

For the children of the desolate woman will be more

than the children of her that is married, says the LORD.

2Enlarge the site of your tent,

and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;

do not hold back; lengthen your cords

and strengthen your stakes.

3For you will spread out to the right and to the left,

and your descendants will possess the nations

and will settle the desolate towns.

4Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed;

do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace;

for you will forget the shame of your youth,

and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more.

5For your Maker is your husband,

the LORD of hosts is his name;

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,

the God of the whole earth he is called.

6For the LORD has called you

like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,

like the wife of a man's youth when she is cast off,

says your God.

7For a brief moment I abandoned you,

but with great compassion I will gather you.

8In overflowing wrath for a moment

I hid my face from you,

but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,

says the LORD, your Redeemer.

9This is like the days of Noah to me:

Just as I swore that the waters of Noah

would never again go over the earth,

so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you

and will not rebuke you.

10For the mountains may depart

and the hills be removed,

but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,

and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,

says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

11O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,

I am about to set your stones in antimony,

and lay your foundations with sapphires.54.11 Or lapis lazuli

12I will make your pinnacles of rubies,

your gates of jewels,

and all your wall of precious stones.

13All your children shall be taught by the LORD,

and great shall be the prosperity of your children.

14In righteousness you shall be established;

you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;

and from terror, for it shall not come near you.

15If anyone stirs up strife,

it is not from me;

whoever stirs up strife with you

shall fall because of you.

16See, it is I who have created the smith

who blows the fire of coals,

and produces a weapon fit for its purpose;

I have also created the ravager to destroy.

17No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper,

and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgement.

This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD

and their vindication from me, says the LORD.