From the ends of the earth we ¹  hear songs – the Just One is majestic. ²  But I ³  say, “I’m wasting away! I’m wasting away! I’m doomed! Deceivers deceive, deceivers thoroughly deceive!” ⁴ 

unless they became my subjects ¹  and made peace with me; let them make peace with me. ² 

Yet the children born during your time of bereavement will say within your hearing, ‘This place is too cramped for us, ¹  make room for us so we can live here.’ ² 

the people whom I formed for myself, so they might praise me.” ¹ 

I will threaten Ariel, and she will mourn intensely and become like an altar hearth ¹  before me.

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.” ¹ 

Then I will summon ¹  as my reliable witnesses Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah.”

My heart palpitates, ¹  I shake in fear; ²  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 ¹  for battle; I would set them ²  all on fire,

What can I say? He has decreed and acted. ¹  I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief. ² 

they will say about me, “Yes, the Lord is a powerful deliverer.”’” ¹  All who are angry at him will cower before him. ² 

The sovereign Lord has spoken to me clearly; ¹  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. ¹  So my right arm accomplished deliverance; my raging anger drove me on. ² 

The sovereign Lord has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, ¹  so that I know how to help the weary. ²  He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do. ³ 

“Of what importance to me are your many sacrifices?” ¹  says the Lord. “I am stuffed with ²  burnt sacrifices of rams and the fat from steers. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats I do not want. ³ 

Do not bring any more meaningless ¹  offerings; I consider your incense detestable! ²  You observe new moon festivals, Sabbaths, and convocations, but I cannot tolerate sin-stained celebrations! ³ 

Look, I and the sons whom the Lord has given me ¹  are reminders and object lessons ²  in Israel, sent from the Lord who commands armies, who lives on Mount Zion.

Look, God is my deliverer! ¹  I will trust in him ²  and not fear. For the Lord gives me strength and protects me; ³  he has become my deliverer.” ⁴ 

I have received a distressing message: ¹  “The deceiver deceives, the destroyer destroys. Attack, you Elamites! Lay siege, you Medes! I will put an end to all the groaning!” ² 

Like a swallow or a thrush I chirp, I coo ¹  like a dove; my eyes grow tired from looking up to the sky. ²  O sovereign master, ³  I am oppressed; help me! ⁴