A Promise of Hope
Then what was written will come true: ‘Sing out, you who were childless and barren! Burst into joyful song, you who never felt labor pains! Because the woman who seemed abandoned will have more children than the woman with a husband,’ says the Lord.
Make your tent bigger. Stretch out the curtains of your home—don’t hold back! Lengthen the ropes and drive the stakes in deeper. You’re going to spread out in every direction. Your children will inherit the nations and bring life back to cities that were left empty.
No More Shame
Don’t be afraid. You won’t be humiliated or disgraced anymore. The shame of your younger years will fade away, and you’ll forget what it felt like to be a rejected widow. Your Maker is your husband—the Lord of Heaven’s Armies is his name. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. He’ll be called the God of the whole earth. The Lord has called you back, like a wife who was abandoned and heartbroken, like a young bride who was rejected, says your God.
I left you alone for a brief moment, but with deep compassion I’m bringing you back. In a flash of anger, I turned away from you. But with love that lasts forever, I will show you mercy, says the Lord your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me. Just as I promised that Noah’s flood would never cover the earth again, I promise I won’t be angry with you. Even if the mountains crumble and the hills collapse, my love for you will never fail. My promise to my people will stand firm, says the Lord who shows you mercy.
Rebuilt with Beauty
You’ve been beaten down, battered by storms, with no comfort in sight. But listen—I’m going to rebuild you with beautiful stones and lay your foundation with sapphires. I’ll make your windows from sparkling agates, your gates from brilliant rubies, and all your walls from precious stones.
All your children will be taught by the Lord. And your children will know deep peace. You’ll be built on what’s right and good. Oppression will be a distant memory—you won’t have to fear it. Terror won’t come near you.
If anyone attacks you, it won’t be because I sent them. Whoever comes against you will fall because of you. Look—I created the blacksmith who stokes the fire and forges weapons for war. And I created the destroyer who tears things down. No weapon made to harm you will succeed. Every accusation thrown at you in court, you’ll prove wrong. This is what those who serve the Lord can expect. Their vindication comes from me, says the Lord.