From the ends of the earth we hear songs – the Just One is majestic. But I say, “I’m wasting away! I’m wasting away! I’m doomed! Deceivers deceive, deceivers thoroughly deceive!”

unless they became my subjects and made peace with me; let them make peace with me.

Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing, ‘This place is too cramped for us, make room for us so we can live here.’

the people whom I formed for myself, so they might praise me.”

I will threaten Ariel, and she will mourn intensely and become like an altar hearth before me.

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.”

Then I will summon as my reliable witnesses Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.”

My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.

I am not angry. I wish I could confront some thorns and briers! Then I would march against them for battle; I would set them all on fire,

What can I say? He has decreed and acted. I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief.

they will say about me, “Yes, the Lord is a powerful deliverer.”’” All who are angry at him will cower before him.

The sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; I have not rebelled, I have not turned back.

I looked, but there was no one to help; I was shocked because there was no one offering support. So my right arm accomplished deliverance; my raging anger drove me on.

The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.

“Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” says the Lord. “I am stuffed with burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want.

Do not bring any more meaningless offerings; I consider your incense detestable! You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations!

Look, I and the sons whom the Lord has given me are reminders and object lessons in Israel, sent from the Lord who commands armies, who lives on Mount Zion.

Look, God is my deliverer! I will trust in him and not fear. For the Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”

I have received a distressing message: “The deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning!”

Like a swallow or a thrush I chirp, I coo like a dove; my eyes grow tired from looking up to the sky. O sovereign master, I am oppressed; help me!