Rejoice with Jerusalem

“ Before she was in labor, she gave birth;

before she was in pain she delivered a boy.

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Who has heard of such as this?

Who has seen such things?

Can a country be born in a day

or a nation be delivered in an instant

Yet as soon as Zion was in labor,

she gave birth to her children.

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Shall I bring a baby to the point of birth and not deliver it?”

says the LORD.

“Or will I who deliver close the womb?”

says your God.

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Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her,

all who love her.

Rejoice greatly with her,

all who mourn over her,

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so that you may nurse and be satisfied

at her comforting breasts;

you may drink deeply and delight yourselves

in her glorious abundance.

12 

For this is what the LORD says:

“I will extend peace to her like a river,

and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream;

you will nurse and be carried on her arm,

and bounced upon [her] knees.

13 

As a mother comforts her son,

so vvv will I comfort you,

and you will be consoled over Jerusalem.”

14 

When you see, you will rejoice,

and you will flourish like grass;

then the hand of the LORD will be revealed to His servants,

but His wrath will be shown to His enemies.

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