Readings for Lent and Easter

³ Though Zion is in ruins,
    the Lord will bring comfort,
and the city will be as lovely
as the garden of Eden
    that he provided.
Then Zion will celebrate;
it will be thankful
    and sing joyful songs.

⁶ Look closely at the sky!
    Stare at the earth.
The sky will vanish like smoke;
the earth will wear out
    like clothes.
Everyone on this earth
    will die like flies.
But my victory will last;
my saving power never ends.

⁷ If you want to do right
    and obey my teaching
with all your heart,
    then pay close attention.
Don't be discouraged
when others insult you
    and say hurtful things.
⁸ They will be eaten away
    like a moth-eaten coat.
But my victory will last;
my saving power
    will never end.

¹³ I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
    for the earth.
But you have forgotten me,
    your Lord and Creator.
All day long you were afraid
of those who were angry
    and hoped to oppress you.
Where are they now?

¹⁴ Everyone crying out in pain
    will be quickly set free;
they will be rescued
from the power of death
    and never go hungry.
¹⁵ I will help them
    because I am your God,
the Lord All-Powerful,
    who makes the ocean roar.

¹⁶ I have told you what to say,
and I will keep you safe
    in the palm of my hand.
I spread out the heavens
and laid foundations
    for the earth.
Now I say, “Jerusalem,
    your people are mine.”