What Are You Afraid of—or Who?

12-16 “I, I’m the One comforting you.
    What are you afraid of—or who?
Some man or woman who’ll soon be dead?
    Some poor wretch destined for dust?
You’ve forgotten me, God, who made you,
    who unfurled the skies, who founded the earth.
And here you are, quaking like an aspen
    before the tantrums of a tyrant
    who thinks he can kick down the world.
But what will come of the tantrums?
    The victims will be released before you know it.
They’re not going to die.
    They’re not even going to go hungry.
For I am God, your very own God,
    who stirs up the sea and whips up the waves,
    named God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
I teach you how to talk, word by word,
    and personally watch over you,
Even while I’m unfurling the skies,
    setting earth on solid foundations,
    and greeting Zion: ‘Welcome, my people!’”

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12 “I, I am he (A)who comforts you;
    who are you that you are afraid of (B)man who dies,
    of the son of man who is made (C)like grass,
13 and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,
    (D)who stretched out the heavens
    and (E)laid the foundations of the earth,
and you fear continually all the day
    because of the wrath of (F)the oppressor,
when he sets himself to destroy?
    And where is the wrath of (G)the oppressor?
14 (H)He who is bowed down shall speedily be released;
    he shall not die and go down (I)to the pit,
    neither shall his bread be lacking.

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12 “I, even I, am he who comforts(A) you.
    Who are you that you fear(B) mere mortals,(C)
    human beings who are but grass,(D)
13 that you forget(E) the Lord your Maker,(F)
    who stretches out the heavens(G)
    and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror(H) every day
    because of the wrath of the oppressor,
    who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?(I)
14     The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;(J)
they will not die in their dungeon,
    nor will they lack bread.(K)

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