7
Before she was in labor
she gave birth;
before her pain came upon her
she delivered a son.
8
Who has heard of such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Shall a land be born in one day?
Shall a nation be delivered in one moment?
Yet as soon as Zion was in labor
she delivered her children.
9
Shall I open the womb and not deliver?
says the
shall I, the one who delivers, shut the womb?
says your God.
10
Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her,
all you who love her;
rejoice with her in joy,
all you who mourn over her--
11
that you may nurse and be satisfied
from her consoling breast;
that you may drink deeply with delight
from her glorious bosom.
12
For thus says the
I will extend prosperity to her like a river,
and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and dandled on her knees.
13
As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
14
You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice;
your bodies 1 shall flourish like the grass;
and it shall be known that the hand of the
and his indignation is against his enemies.