9-10 “This exile is just like the days of Noah for me:
    I promised then that the waters of Noah
    would never again flood the earth.
I’m promising now no more anger,
    no more dressing you down.
For even if the mountains walk away
    and the hills fall to pieces,
My love won’t walk away from you,
    my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart.”
    The God who has compassion on you says so.

11-17 “Afflicted city, storm-battered, unpitied:
    I’m about to rebuild you with stones of turquoise,
Lay your foundations with sapphires,
    construct your towers with rubies,
Your gates with jewels,
    and all your walls with precious stones.
All your children will have God for their teacher—
    what a mentor for your children!
You’ll be built solid, grounded in righteousness,
    far from any trouble—nothing to fear!
    far from terror—it won’t even come close!
If anyone attacks you,
    don’t for a moment suppose that I sent them,
And if any should attack,
    nothing will come of it.
I create the blacksmith
    who fires up his forge
    and makes a weapon designed to kill.
I also create the destroyer—
    but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged.
Any accuser who takes you to court
    will be dismissed as a liar.
This is what God’s servants can expect.
    I’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
        God’s Decree.

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“To me this is like the days of Noah,
    when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.(A)
So now I have sworn(B) not to be angry(C) with you,
    never to rebuke(D) you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken(E)
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love(F) for you will not be shaken(G)
    nor my covenant(H) of peace(I) be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion(J) on you.

11 “Afflicted(K) city, lashed by storms(L) and not comforted,(M)
    I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise,[a](N)
    your foundations(O) with lapis lazuli.(P)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 54:11 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.