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The Eternal Covenant of Peace

1  “Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
    break forth into singing and cry aloud,
    you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
    than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD.
2  “Enlarge the place of your tent,
    and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
    and strengthen your stakes.
3  For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
    and your offspring will possess the nations
    and will people the desolate cities.

4  Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
    be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
    and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
5  For your Maker is your husband,
    the LORD of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
    the God of the whole earth he is called.
6  For the LORD has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off,
    says your God.
7  For a brief moment I deserted you,
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8  In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
    says the LORD, your Redeemer.

9  “This is like the days of Noah ^{1 54:9 Some manuscripts For this is as the waters of Noah} to me:
    as I swore that the waters of Noah
    should no more go over the earth,
so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
    and will not rebuke you.
10  For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

11  “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,
    behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
    and lay your foundations with sapphires. ^{2 54:11 Or lapis lazuli}
12  I will make your pinnacles of agate, ^{3 54:12 Or jasper, or ruby}
    your gates of carbuncles, ^{4 54:12 Or crystal}
    and all your wall of precious stones.
13  All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
    and great shall be the peace of your children.
14  In righteousness you shall be established;
    you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
    and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15  If anyone stirs up strife,
    it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
    shall fall because of you.
16  Behold, I have created the smith
    who blows the fire of coals
    and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
17      no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
    and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
    and their vindication ^{5 54:17 Or righteousness} from me, declares the LORD.”