Shake off the dirt! Get up, captive Jerusalem! Take off the iron chains around your neck, O captive daughter Zion!

“Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted –

The sovereign Lord says this, the one who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will still gather them up.”

On every high, elevated hill you prepare your bed; you go up there to offer sacrifices.

I will denounce your so-called righteousness and your deeds, but they will not help you.

“Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you!

Indeed, nations or kingdoms that do not serve you will perish; such nations will be totally destroyed.

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

(63:19b) If only you would tear apart the sky and come down! The mountains would tremble before you!

When you performed awesome deeds that took us by surprise, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.

Lord, do not be too angry! Do not hold our sins against us continually! Take a good look at your people, at all of us!

The sound of battle comes from the city; the sound comes from the temple! It is the sound of the Lord paying back his enemies.

“So, once more I will state my case against you,” says the Lord. “I will also state it against your children and grandchildren.

Be amazed at this, O heavens! Be shocked and utterly dumbfounded,” says the Lord.

Even the soldiers from Memphis and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, people of Israel.

Then the Lord said to me, “Under the circumstances, wayward Israel could even be considered less guilty than unfaithful Judah.

I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.

“Oh people of Jerusalem, purify your hearts from evil so that you may yet be delivered. How long will you continue to harbor up wicked schemes within you?

They will surround Jerusalem like men guarding a field because they have rebelled against me,” says the Lord.

“I looked at the land and saw that it was an empty wasteland. I looked up at the sky, and its light had vanished.