1 I, the Lord, was readyto answer even thosewho were not askingand to be found by thosewho were not searching.To a nation that refusedto worship me,I said, “Here I am!”
2 All day long I have reached outto stubborn and sinful peoplegoing their own way.
3 They keep making me angryby sneering at me,while offering sacrificesto idols in gardensand burning incenseto them on bricks.
4 They spend their nightshiding in burial caves;they eat the meat of pigs,cooked in saucesmade of stuff unfit to eat.
5 And then they say to others,“Don't come near us!We're dedicated to God.”Such people are like smoke,irritating my nose all day.
6 I have written this down;I won't keep silent.I'll pay them backjust as their sins deserve.
7 I, the Lord, will make them payfor their sins and for thoseof their ancestors—they have disgraced meby burning incenseon mountains.
8 Here is what the Lord says:A cluster of grapesthat produces wineis worth keeping!So, because of my servants,I won't destroy everyone.
9 I have chosen the peopleof Israel and Judah,and I will bless themwith many descendants.They will settle herein this land of mountains,and it will be theirs.
10 My people will worship me.Then the coastlands of Sharonand the land as faras Achor Valleywill turn into pasturelandwhere cattle and sheepwill feed and rest.
11 What will I, the Lord, doif any of you reject meand my holy mountain?What will happen to youfor offering food and wineto the gods you call“Good Luck” and “Fate”?
12 Your luck will end!I will see to it that youare slaughtered with swords.You refused to answerwhen I called out;you paid no attentionto my instructions.Instead, you did what I hated,knowing it was wrong.
13 I, the Lord God, will givefood and drink to my servants,and they will celebrate.But all of you sinnerswill go hungry and thirsty,overcome with disgrace.
14 My servants will laugh and sing,but you will be sadand cry out in pain.
15 I, the Lord God, promiseto see that you are killedand that my chosen servants useyour names as curse words.But I will give new namesto my servants.
16 I am God! I can be trusted.Your past troubles are gone;I no longer think of them.When you pray for someoneto receive a blessing,or when you make a promise,you must do it in my name.I alone am the Godwho can be trusted.
17 I am creating new heavensand a new earth;everything of the pastwill be forgotten.
18 Celebrate and be glad forever!I am creating a Jerusalem,full of happy people.
19 I will celebrate with Jerusalemand all its people;there will be no more cryingor sorrow in that city.
20 No child will die in infancy;everyone will livea very long life.Anyone a hundred years oldwill be considered young,and to die younger than thatwill be considered a curse.
21 My people will livein the houses they build;they will enjoy grapesfrom their own vineyards.
22 No one will take awaytheir homes or vineyards.My chosen people will liveto be as old as trees,and they will enjoywhat they have earned.
23 Their work won't be wasted,and their children won't dieof dreadful diseases.I will bless their childrenand their grandchildren.
24 I will answer their prayersbefore they finish praying.
25 Wolves and lambswill graze together;lions and oxenwill feed on straw.Snakes will eat only dirt!They won't bite or harm anyoneon my holy mountain.I, the Lord, have spoken!