I, I have spoken – yes, I have summoned him; I lead him and he will succeed.

We were pregnant, we strained, we gave birth, as it were, to wind. We cannot produce deliverance on the earth; people to populate the world are not born.

“I, the Lord, officially commission you; I take hold of your hand. I protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, and a light to the nations,

Tie up the scroll as legal evidence, seal the official record of God’s instructions and give it to my followers.

The splendid crown of Ephraim’s drunkards will be trampled underfoot.

His God instructs him; he teaches him the principles of agriculture.

So now, listen to this, O one who lives so lavishly, who lives securely, who says to herself, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me! I will never have to live as a widow; I will never lose my children.’

“Zion said, ‘The Lord has abandoned me, the sovereign master has forgotten me.’

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer. I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price, Ethiopia and Seba in place of you.

Carefully read the scroll of the Lord! Not one of these creatures will be missing, none will lack a mate. For the Lord has issued the decree, and his own spirit gathers them.

I was angry at my people; I defiled my special possession and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; you even placed a very heavy burden on old people.

“But you did not call for me, O Jacob; you did not long for me, O Israel.

So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse.”

For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will not be redeemed for money.”

In unison give a joyful shout, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord consoles his people; he protects Jerusalem.

This is what the Lord says: “At the time I decide to show my favor, I will respond to you; in the day of deliverance I will help you; I will protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people, to rebuild the land and to reassign the desolate property.

Then you will think to yourself, ‘Who bore these children for me? I was bereaved and barren, dismissed and divorced. Who raised these children? Look, I was left all alone; where did these children come from?’”

This is what the Lord says: “Where is your mother’s divorce certificate by which I divorced her? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold because of your sins; because of your rebellious acts I divorced your mother.

You will not be buried with them, because you destroyed your land and killed your people. The offspring of the wicked will never be mentioned again.

How will they respond to the messengers of this nation? Indeed, the Lord has made Zion secure; the oppressed among his people will find safety in her.