3 One slaughters an ox, one kills a man;one sacrifices a lamb, one breaks a dog’s neck;one offers a grain offering, one offers pig’s blood;one offers incense, one praises an idol —all these have chosen their waysand delight in their detestable practices.
4 So I will choose their punishment,and I will bring on them what they dreadbecause I called and no one answered;I spoke and they didn’t hear;they did what was evil in My sightand chose what I didn’t delight in.
5 You who tremble at His word, hear the word of the Lord: “Your brothers who hate and exclude youbecause of Me have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorifiedso that we can see your joy! ’But they will be put to shame.”
6 A sound of uproar from the city!A voice from the temple —the voice of the Lord,paying back His enemies what they deserve!
7 Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth;before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
8 Who has heard of such a thing?Who has seen such things?Can a land be born in one dayor a nation be delivered in an instant?Yet as soon as Zion was in labor,she gave birth to her sons.
9 “Will I bring a baby to the point of birthand not deliver it? ”says the Lord;“or will I who deliver, close the womb? ”says your God.