51 Listen to me, all of you who strive to do what’s right—

≈ you who want to follow Yahweh’s instructions.

Look at the rock that you where chiselled from,

≈ and at the mouth of the cistern that you were quarried out of.

2 Look at your ancestor, Avraham,

≈ and Sarah who bore you all,

because I called him as one person,

→ then I blessed him and made him many,

3 because Yahweh will comfort Tsiyyon (Zion).

He will comfort all its ruined places,

and make her wilderness like Eden

and her desert plains like Yahweh’s garden.

Joy and happiness will come from there—

thanksgiving and the sounds of music.

4 Pay attention to me, my people.

and you my nation, listen carefully,

because I will send out my instructions,

and in an instant, I’ll make my justice as a light for the nations.

5 I’m ready to declare you as innocent.

My salvation will go out.

My arms will bring justice to the peoples.

The islands wait eagerly—waiting for my arm.

6 Look upwards to the skies

^ and down to the earth below,

because the skies will be dispersed like smoke,

≈ and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing

and its inhabitants will die like gnats.

However, when I save you, you’ll be free forever,

≈ and I’ll only ever do what is right.

7 Listen to me, all of you who know what is right—

≈ people with my instructions always in their thoughts.

Don’t be afraid of getting insulted by people,

≈ and don’t be dismayed by their abuse,

8 because moths will eat them like a piece of clothing,

and their larva will devour them like they do with wool.

However, I will only ever do what is right,

and when I save you, you’ll be free throughout the generations.

9 Wake up, wake up! Yahweh, strengthen yourself!

Wake up like back in the old days—

the generations from long ago.

Wasn’t it you who pierced the sea monster Rahab and cut it into pieces?

10 Wasn’t it you who dried up the ocean—those large, deep waters—

≈ the one who made the deep seas into a way for those who’ve been set free to pass over?

11 Then those who Yahweh has paid the price for their freedom, will return,

and go to Tsiyyon (Zion) with happy shouts,

≈ and with happiness always showing on their faces.

Gladness and joy will overtake them—

≈ sorrow and mourning will disappear.

12 It’s me who’s the one who comforts you all.

Why would you be afraid of other humans who’re just mortal,

or other descendants of humankind who are a temporary as grass.

13 Then you’ve forgotten Yahweh who made you

and who stretched out the skies and made the earth’s foundations.

You’ve been in dread the entire day as your angry oppressor approaches ready to destroy you.

But where is the oppressor’s anger now?

14 The one who stoops over will be quickly released.

He won’t die in the pit and won’t lack his food.

15 I am your god Yahweh who stirs up the sea

≈ and its waves roar.

Commander-in-chief Yahweh is his name.

16 I’ve given you my messages to proclaim,

and I’ve protected you with my hand—

planting the skies and founding the earth,

and telling Tsiyyon (Zion) that you are my people.