Isaiah 66

1This is what Yahweh says, 2My hand has made all these things; that is how these things came to be—this is Yahweh's declaration. 3He who slaughters an ox also murders a man; he who sacrifices a lamb also breaks a dog's neck; 4In the same way I will choose their own punishment; I will bring on them what they fear, 5Hear the word of Yahweh, you who tremble at his word, 6A sound of battle tumult comes from the city, a sound from the temple, 7Before she goes into labor, she gives birth; 8Who has heard of such a thing? Who has seen such things? 9Do I bring a baby to the birth opening and not permit the child to be born?—asks Yahweh. 10Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; 11For you will nurse and be satisfied; with her breasts you will be comforted; 12This is what Yahweh says, 13As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” 14You will see this, and your heart will rejoice, and your bones will sprout like the tender grass. 15For look, Yahweh is coming with fire, and his chariots are coming like the windstorm 16For Yahweh executes judgment on mankind by fire and with his sword. Those killed by Yahweh will be many. 17They consecrate themselves and make themselves pure, so they may enter the gardens, following the one in the middle of those who This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. 18For I know their deeds and their thoughts. The time is coming when I will gather all nations and languages. They will come and will see my glory. This verse is very difficult, and modern versions provide various interpretations. 19I will set a mighty sign among them. Then I will send survivors from them to the nations: To Tarshish, Put, and Lud, archers who draw their bows, to Tubal, Javan, and to the distant coastlands where they have not heard about me nor seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. 20They will bring back all your brothers out of all the nations, as an offering to Yahweh. They will come on horses, and in chariots, in wagons, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem—says Yahweh. For the people of Israel will bring a grain offering in a clean vessel into the house of Yahweh. 21Some of these I will even choose as priests and Levites—says Yahweh. 22For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I will make 23From one month to the next, and from one Sabbath to the next, 24They will go out and see the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me,