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13 Sing, heavens! Rejoice, earth!
    Break out, mountains, with a song.
The Lord has comforted his people,
    and taken pity on those who suffer.

Compassion for Zion

14 But Zion says, “The Lord has abandoned me;
    my Lord has forgotten me.”
15 Can a woman forget her nursing child,
    fail to pity the child of her womb?
        Even these may forget,
        but I won’t forget you.
16 Look, on my palms I’ve inscribed you;
    your walls are before me continually.
17 Your builders[a] come quickly;
    those who destroy and demolish you will depart from you.
18 Look up all around and see:
    they are all gathered;
    they come to you.
As surely as I live, says the Lord,
    you will put them all on like ornaments,
    bind them on like a bride.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 49:17 Or children

13 Shout for joy,(A) you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;(B)
    burst into song, you mountains!(C)
For the Lord comforts(D) his people
    and will have compassion(E) on his afflicted ones.(F)

14 But Zion(G) said, “The Lord has forsaken(H) me,
    the Lord has forgotten me.”

15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child(I) she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!(J)
16 See, I have engraved(K) you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls(L) are ever before me.
17 Your children hasten back,
    and those who laid you waste(M) depart from you.
18 Lift up your eyes and look around;
    all your children gather(N) and come to you.
As surely as I live,(O)” declares the Lord,
    “you will wear(P) them all as ornaments;
    you will put them on, like a bride.

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