Isaiah 51

The Lord's Comfort for Zion

1 "Listen to Me, a you who 1 follow after righteousness,
You who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. 2 b Look to Abraham your father,
And to Sarah who bore you;
c For I called him alone,
And d blessed him and increased him." 3 For the LORD will e comfort Zion,
He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden,
And her desert f like the garden of the LORD;
Joy and gladness will be found in it,
Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

4 "Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
g For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
h As a light of the peoples. 5 i My righteousness is near,
My salvation has gone forth,
j And My arms will judge the peoples;
k The coastlands will wait upon Me,
And l on My arm they will trust. 6 m Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
And look on the earth beneath.
For n the heavens will vanish away like smoke,
o The earth will grow old like a garment,
And those who dwell in it will die in like manner;
But My salvation will be p forever,
And My righteousness will not be 2 abolished.

7 "Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people q in whose heart is My law:
r Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults. 8 For s the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;
But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation."

9 t Awake, awake, u put on strength,
O arm of the LORD!
Awake v as in the ancient days,
In the generations of old.
w Are You not the arm that cut x Rahab apart,
And wounded the y serpent? 10 Are You not the One who z dried up the sea,
The waters of the great deep;
That made the depths of the sea a road
For the redeemed to cross over? 11 So a the ransomed of the LORD shall return,
And come to Zion with singing,
With everlasting joy on their heads.
They shall obtain joy and gladness;
Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

12 "I, even I, am He b who comforts you.
Who are you that you should be afraid
c Of a man who will die,
And of the son of a man who will be made d like grass? 13 And e you forget the LORD your Maker,
f Who stretched out the heavens
And laid the foundations of the earth;
You have feared continually every day
Because of the fury of the oppressor,
When he has prepared to destroy.
g And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed,
h That he should not die in the pit,
And that his bread should not fail. 15 But I am the LORD your God,
Who i divided the sea whose waves roared -
The LORD of hosts is His name. 16 And j I have put My words in your mouth;
k I have covered you with the shadow of My hand,
l That I may 3 plant the heavens,
Lay the foundations of the earth,
And say to Zion, 'You are My people.' "

17 m Awake, awake!
Stand up, O Jerusalem,
You who n have drunk at the hand of the LORD
The cup of His fury;
You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling,
And drained it out. 18 There is no one to guide her
Among all the sons she has brought forth;
Nor is there any who takes her by the hand
Among all the sons she has brought up. 19 o These two things have come to you;
Who will be sorry for you? -
Desolation and destruction, famine and sword -
p By whom will I comfort you? 20 q Your sons have fainted,
They lie at the head of all the streets,
Like an antelope in a net;
They are full of the fury of the LORD,
The rebuke of your God.

21 Therefore please hear this, you afflicted,
And drunk r but not with wine. 22 Thus says your Lord,
The LORD and your God,
Who s pleads the cause of His people:
"See, I have taken out of your hand
The cup of trembling,
The dregs of the cup of My fury;
You shall no longer drink it. 23 t But I will put it into the hand of those who afflict you,
Who have said to 4 you,
'Lie down, that we may walk over you.'
And you have laid your body like the ground,
And as the street, for those who walk over."

  1. Cross References
    Romans 9:30 - 32
    What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 4:1 - 3
    What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh?
    Hebrews 11:11
    By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.
  3. Cross References
    Genesis 12:1
    Now the LORD had said to Abram: Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 24:35
    The LORD has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
    Deuteronomy 1:10
    The LORD your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude.
    Ezekiel 33:24
    "Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession.'
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:1
    Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God.
    Isaiah 52:9
    Break forth into joy, sing together, You waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.
    Psalms 102:13
    You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 13:10
    And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.
    Joel 2:3
    A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them.
  7. Cross References
    Isaiah 2:3
    Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
  8. Cross References
    Isaiah 42:6
    I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 46:13
    I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 67:4
    Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, And govern the nations on earth. Selah
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 60:9
    Surely the coastlands shall wait for Me; And the ships of Tarshish will come first, To bring your sons from afar, Their silver and their gold with them, To the name of the LORD your God, And to the Holy One of Israel, Because He has glorified you.
  12. Cross References
    Romans 1:16
    For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
  13. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:26
    Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 102:25
    Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, An...
    Psalms 102:26
    They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, the...
    Isaiah 13:13
    Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the ear...
    Isaiah 34:4
    All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And ...
    Matthew 24:35
    Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words w...
    Hebrews 1:10 - 12
    And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foun...
    2 Peter 3:10
    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in...
  15. Cross References
    Isaiah 24:19
    The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly.
    Isaiah 24:20
    The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again.
    Isaiah 50:9
    Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.
    Hebrews 1:10 - 12
    And: "You, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
  16. Cross References
    Isaiah 45:17
    But Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 37:31
    The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.
    Jeremiah 31:33
    But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
    Hebrews 10:16
    "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,"
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 25:8
    He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord ...
    Isaiah 54:4
    Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neith...
    Matthew 5:11
    Blessed are you when they revile and persecute ...
    Matthew 5:12
    Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is y...
    Matthew 10:28
    And do not fear those who kill the body but can...
    Acts 5:41
    So they departed from the presence of the counc...
  19. Cross References
    Isaiah 50:9
    Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.
  20. Cross References
    Psalms 44:23
    Awake! Why do You sleep, O Lord? Arise! Do not cast us off forever.
  21. Cross References
    Psalms 93:1
    The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength. Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 44:1
    We have heard with our ears, O God, Our fathers have told us, The deeds You did in their days, In days of old:
  23. Cross References
    Job 26:12
    He stirs up the sea with His power, And by His understanding He breaks up the storm.
    Psalms 89:10
    You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain; You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
    Isaiah 30:7
    For the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose. Therefore I have called her RahabHemShe'beth.
  24. Cross References
    Psalms 87:4
    "I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to those who know Me; Behold, O Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: 'This one was born there.'"
  25. Cross References
    Psalms 74:13
    You divided the sea by Your strength; You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters.
    Isaiah 27:1
    In that day the LORD with His severe sword, great and strong, Will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 14:21
    Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.
    Isaiah 63:11 - 13
    Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: "Where is He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock? Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them.
  27. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:10
    And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
    Jeremiah 31:11
    For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he.
    Jeremiah 31:12
    Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the LORD - For wheat and new wine and oil, For the young of the flock and the herd; Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all.
  28. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 1:3
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
  29. Cross References
    Psalms 118:6
    The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
    Isaiah 2:22
    Sever yourselves from such a man, Whose breath is in his nostrils; For of what account is he?
  30. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:6
    The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
    Isaiah 40:7
    The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.
    James 1:10
    But the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
    1 Peter 1:24
    Because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away.
  31. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 6:12
    Then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
    Deuteronomy 8:11
    Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today.
    Isaiah 17:10
    Because you have forgotten the God of your salvation, And have not been mindful of the Rock of your stronghold, Therefore you will plant pleasant plants And set out foreign seedlings.
    Jeremiah 2:32
    Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number.
  32. Cross References
    Psalms 104:2
    Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
  33. Cross References
    Job 20:7
    Yet he will perish forever like his own refuse; Those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?
  34. Cross References
    Zechariah 9:11
    As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
  35. Cross References
    Job 26:12
    He stirs up the sea with His power, And by His understanding He breaks up the storm.
  36. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 18:18
    I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
    Isaiah 59:21
    "As for Me," says the LORD, "this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants' descendants," says the LORD, "from this time and forevermore."
    John 3:34
    For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
  37. Cross References
    Exodus 33:22
    So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.
    Isaiah 49:2
    And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.
  38. Cross References
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
  39. Cross References
    Isaiah 52:1
    Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion; Put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean Shall no longer come to you.
  40. Cross References
    Job 21:20
    Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
    Isaiah 29:9
    Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine; They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink.
    Jeremiah 25:15
    For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: "Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.
    Revelation 14:10
    He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
    Revelation 16:19
    Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.
  41. Cross References
    Isaiah 47:9
    But these two things shall come to you In a moment, in one day: The loss of children, and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness Because of the multitude of your sorceries, For the great abundance of your enchantments.
  42. Cross References
    Amos 7:2
    And so it was, when they had finished eating the grass of the land, that I said: "O Lord GOD, forgive, I pray! Oh, that Jacob may stand, For he is small!
  43. Cross References
    Lamentations 2:11
    My eyes fail with tears, My heart is troubled; My bile is poured on the ground Because of the destruction of the daughter of my people, Because the children and the infants Faint in the streets of the city.
  44. Cross References
    Lamentations 3:15
    He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drink wormwood.
  45. Cross References
    Isaiah 3:12
    As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them. O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err, And destroy the way of your paths.
    Isaiah 3:13
    The LORD stands up to plead, And stands to judge the people.
    Isaiah 49:25
    But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.
    Jeremiah 50:34
    Their Redeemer is strong; The LORD of hosts is His name. He will thoroughly plead their case, That He may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
  46. Cross References
    Isaiah 14:2
    Then people will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them for servants and maids in the land of the LORD; they will take them captive whose captives they were, and rule over their oppressors.
    Jeremiah 25:17
    Then I took the cup from the LORD's hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me:
    Jeremiah 25:26 - 28
    All the kings of the north, far and near, one with another; and all the kingdoms of the world which are on the face of the earth. Also the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.
    Zechariah 12:2
    Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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