For the Lamb who is at the centre of the throne will shepherd them; he will guide them to springs of the waters of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride. My eyes will overflow with tears, for the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.
For the High and Exalted One, who lives for ever, whose name is holy, says this: ‘I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.
The moonlight will be as bright as the sunlight, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter #– #like the light of seven days #– #on the day that the Lord bandages his people’s injuries and heals the wounds he inflicted.
‘Come, let’s settle this,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool.
So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms round his neck, and kissed him.
For you will not leave in a hurry, and you will not have to take flight; because the Lord is going before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.
The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose water never runs dry.
Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.
But I will bring you health and will heal you of your wounds – this is the Lord’s declaration – for they call you Outcast, Zion whom no one cares about.