Scriptures

New King James Version (NKJV)

Isaiah 66
¹ Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest?
² For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist," Says the Lord. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word.
³ "He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck; He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood; He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations,
⁴ So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight."
⁵ Hear the word of the Lord, You who tremble at His word: "Your brethren who hated you, Who cast you out for My name’s sake, said, ’Let the Lord be glorified, That we may see your joy.’ But they shall be ashamed."
⁶ The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the Lord, Who fully repays His enemies!
⁷ "Before she was in labor, she gave birth; Before her pain came, She delivered a male child.
⁸ Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion was in labor, She gave birth to her children.
⁹ Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?" says the Lord. "Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?" says your God.
¹⁰ "Rejoice with Jerusalem, And be glad with her, all you who love her; Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her;
¹¹ That you may feed and be satisfied With the consolation of her bosom, That you may drink deeply and be delighted With the abundance of her glory."