1Thus says the LORD: “The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build for Me? And where will My resting place be? 2For all those things My Own hand has made, and so they came into being.”, says the LORD; “But I will look with favor and have regard for those that are poor, of a contrite spirit, and who reverence My word. 3Whoever sacrifices an ox will now be as bad as if he killed a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb, as bad as if he cut off a dog's neck; whoever brings a grain offering, as bad as if he offered swine's blood; and whoever burns incense, as bad as if he worshipped an idol. Indeed, they (who persist in the now abolished sacrificial rituals) have chosen their own ways; they delight in detestable things. 4I will also choose their punishments, and will bring upon them what they feared, because when I called, they did not answer; when I spoke, they did not listen. They deliberately did evil before My eyes, and chose things that displease Me.”

5Hear the word of the LORD, you that tremble at His word: “Your own people who hated you, and ostracized you for being loyal to My name, and mockingly said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified; that we may see your joy’, they shall yet be put to shame.” 6Do you hear that uproar from the city, a terrible noise from the Temple? It is the sound of the LORD repaying His enemies with what they deserve.

7Even before she went into labor, she gave birth; before her pain began, she delivered a son. 8Who has ever heard of or seen such a thing? Shall the earth bring forth a nation in one day? Or shall a nation be born in a moment? For no sooner was Zion in labor and she gave birth to her children (the rapid transition to a new glorious dispensation of Israel). 9“Shall I bring this nation to its time of delivery, and not deliver it?” says the LORD. “No! I would never keep this nation from being born!!” says your God.

10Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you that love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all you that mourn for her, 11For now you shall nurture her; and be satisfied with comforting her; and may drink deeply, and be delighted with her overflowing glory. 12For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, I will extend peace and prosperity to her like a river, like a flowing stream; then her children shall be nursed, carried in her arms, and dandled upon her knees. 13As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort her, and you shall share in the consolation of Jerusalem.”

14And when you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and you shall flourish like the grass. All His servants shall know the hand and blessing of the LORD, but His indignation shall be directed toward His enemies. 15For, behold, the LORD is coming with fire, and His chariots are like a whirlwind, to bring punishment with fury, and His rebuke as hot as flames of fire. 16For by fire and with His sword will the LORD execute judgment upon the earth; and many shall be slain by the LORD. 17“They who ‘sanctify’ and ‘purify’ themselves with an idol in their sacred gardens, eating the meat of swine, rats, and other abominable things, shall come to a terrible end together”, says the LORD.

18“For I see what they do and I know their thoughts; but the time shall come when I will gather all people of all nations and languages; and they shall come, and see My glory. 19And I will set a (miraculous) sign among them, and I will send those who survive to the nations - to Tarshish; Pul; Lud, (Libyans and Lydians), skillful archers; to Tubal; Javan (Greece); and to distant islands, to those who have never heard My fame, nor seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. 20And they shall bring the remnant of your people out from all nations, riding on horses, mules, and camels, in chariots and litters, bringing an offering unto the LORD, to My holy mountain, Jerusalem, as the Israelites bring their grain offerings in ceremonially clean vessels into the Temple of the LORD. 21And I will also select some of them to be priests and Levites”, says the LORD.

22“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me”, says the LORD, “So shall your name and your descendants endure forever. 23And from one new moon to the next, and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind shall come to worship before Me”, says the LORD. 24“And they shall go out, and look at the dead bodies of those who have rebelled against Me. For the worms that consume them shall never die, nor the fire that burns them ever go out; and they shall be loathsome, viewed with utter horror by all.”