It furiously struck down nations with unceasing blows. It angrily ruled over nations, oppressing them without restraint.

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.

The earth dries up and withers, the world shrivels up and withers; the prominent people of the earth fade away.

So a strong nation will extol you; the towns of powerful nations will fear you.

At that time the Lord who commands armies will become a beautiful crown and a splendid diadem for the remnant of his people.

For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.

Therefore, listen to the Lord’s word, you who mock, you rulers of these people who reside in Jerusalem!

For these are rebellious people – they are lying children, children unwilling to obey the Lord’s law.

No resident of Zion will say, “I am ill”; the people who live there will have their sin forgiven.

He says, “Indeed, my sword has slaughtered heavenly powers. Look, it now descends on Edom, on the people I will annihilate in judgment.”

The grass dries up, the flowers wither, when the wind sent by the Lord blows on them. Surely humanity is like grass.

“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,

For this reason my people will know my name, for this reason they will know at that time that I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’”

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

He says, “Build it! Build it! Clear a way! Remove all the obstacles out of the way of my people!”

All of your people will be godly; they will possess the land permanently. I will plant them like a shoot; they will be the product of my labor, through whom I reveal my splendor.

They will be called, “The Holy People, the Ones Protected by the Lord.” You will be called, “Sought After, City Not Abandoned.”

He said, “Certainly they will be my people, children who are not disloyal.” He became their deliverer.

These people continually and blatantly offend me as they sacrifice in their sacred orchards and burn incense on brick altars.

Sharon will become a pasture for sheep, and the Valley of Achor a place where cattle graze; they will belong to my people, who seek me.