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Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;(A)
let the wicked forsake their way
    and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.(B)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.(C)

10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,(D)
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
    and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.(E)

12 For you shall go out in joy
    and be led back in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall burst into song,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.(F)
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle,
and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial,
    for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.(G)

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Seek(A) the Lord while he may be found;(B)
    call(C) on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake(D) their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.(E)
Let them turn(F) to the Lord, and he will have mercy(G) on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.(H)

“For my thoughts(I) are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”(J)
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,(K)
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.(L)
10 As the rain(M) and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,(N)
    so that it yields seed(O) for the sower and bread for the eater,(P)
11 so is my word(Q) that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,(R)
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose(S) for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy(T)
    and be led forth in peace;(U)
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song(V) before you,
and all the trees(W) of the field
    will clap their hands.(X)
13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers(Y) the myrtle(Z) will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,(AA)
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”

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14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have known sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is[a] useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,(A) 17 so that the person of God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.(B)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:(C) proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching.(D) For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires(E) and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.(F)

Footnotes

  1. 3.16 Or Every scripture inspired by God is also

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,(A) 15 and how from infancy(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(C) which are able to make you wise(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed(E) and is useful for teaching,(F) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(G) 17 so that the servant of God[a](H) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(I)

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,(J) and in view of his appearing(K) and his kingdom, I give you this charge:(L) Preach(M) the word;(N) be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke(O) and encourage(P)—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.(Q) Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.(R) They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.(S) But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,(T) do the work of an evangelist,(U) discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,