Isaiah 66

The LORD Comes in Judgment and Glory

1This is what the LORD says:
“Heaven is my throne,
and earth my footstool.
What kind of house could you build for me?
What place could be my resting place? 2My hand made all these things,
and so all these things came to be,” declares the LORD.
“But this is the one I look toward:
the afflicted and crushed in spirit,
who trembles at my word. 3One slaughters an ox—and kills a person;
one sacrifices a lamb—and breaks a dog’s neck;
one brings a grain offering—and pig’s blood;
one burns memorial incense—and blesses an idol.
They have chosen their own ways
and delight in their offensive things. 4So I too will choose harsh treatment for them
and bring upon them what they dread,
because I called and no one answered,
I spoke and they did not listen.
They did what was evil in my eyes
and chose what did not please me.”

5Hear the LORD’s word, you who tremble at his word:
“Your brothers who hate you
and exclude you because of my name say,
‘Let the LORD be glorified,
so we may see your joy!’
But they will be put to shame.” 6A sound of uproar from the city!
A sound from the temple!
The sound of the LORD
repaying his enemies what they deserve! 7Before she labored, she gave birth;
before pain came upon her,
she delivered a son. 8Who has heard of such a thing?
Who has seen anything like it?
Can a land be brought forth in one day,
a nation born in a moment?
Yet as soon as Zion labored,
she gave birth to her children.

9“Would I bring to the point of birth and not deliver?” says the LORD.
“Would I, who bring about birth, close the womb?” says your God. 10Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad in her,
all who love her.
Rejoice greatly with her,
all who mourn over her, 11so you may nurse and be satisfied
at her comforting breast,
so you may drink deeply and delight
in her overflowing glory. 12For this is what the LORD says:
“Look, I will extend peace to her like a river
and the nations’ glory like an overflowing stream.
You will nurse, be carried on the hip,
and be dandled on the knees.

13As a mother comforts her child,
so I will comfort you;
in Jerusalem you will be comforted.” 14You will see, and your hearts will rejoice;
your bones will flourish like grass.
The LORD’s hand will be known among his servants,
and his indignation among his enemies. 15For look, the LORD will come in fire,
his chariots like a whirlwind,
to render his anger in fury
and his rebuke in flames of fire. 16For with fire and his sword
the LORD will judge all flesh,
and many will be slain by the LORD.

17“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to enter the gardens, following the one in the middle, eating pig’s flesh, offensive things and mice—they will come to an end together,” declares the LORD. 18“And I—their deeds and their thoughts! The time is coming to gather all nations and languages; they will come and see my glory. 19I will set a sign among them and send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Pul, Lud—those who draw the bow—Tubal, Javan and distant coastlands that have not heard of me or seen my glory. They will tell of my glory among the nations. 20They will bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD—on horses, in chariots and wagons, on mules and swift beasts—to my holy mountain, Jerusalem,” says the LORD, “just as the Israelites bring a grain offering in a clean vessel to the LORD’s house.

21And I will also take some of them as priests and Levites,” says the LORD. 22“For as the new heavens and new earth I am making
will endure before me,” declares the LORD,
“so your offspring and your name will endure. 23From new moon to new moon
and Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh will come to bow before me,” says the LORD. 24“They will go out and look at the corpses
of those who rebelled against me.
Their worm will not die,
and their fire will not go out.
They will be an abhorrence to all flesh.”