God

For here is what ADONAI says to me: "As a lion or lion cub growls at its prey and isn't frightened away by the shouts of hordes of shepherds called out against him - their voices do not upset him - so likewise ADONAI-Tzva'ot will descend to fight on Mount Tziyon, on its hill.

Like hovering birds, ADONAI-Tzva'ot will protect Yerushalayim. In protecting it, he will rescue it; in sparing it, he will save it.

People of Isra'el! Return to him to whom you have been so deeply disloyal!

His rock, out of terror, will pass away, and his panicked officers will desert the standard." So says ADONAI, whose fire is in Tziyon, whose furnace is in Yerushalayim.

for the mean person will speak meanness, his heart planning evil, so that he can act godlessly, spreading error concerning ADONAI, as he lets the hungry go on starving and deprives the thirsty of drink.

for the land of my people, producing thorns and briars, for all the happy homes in the joyful city.

My people will live in a peaceful place, in secure neighborhoods and tranquil dwellings.

ADONAI, show us mercy; we have waited for you. Be their arm every morning, and our salvation in time of trouble.

At the sound of the tumult, the peoples wander off; when you exalt yourself, the nations are scattered.

ADONAI is exalted, for he dwells on high; he has filled Tziyon with justice and right.

He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, and fear of ADONAI, which is his treasure.

"Now I will arise," says ADONAI, "Now I will exalt and lift myself up.

You living far off, hear what I have done! You who are near, acknowledge my strength!"

But there in his splendor ADONAI will be with us, in a place of rivers and broad streams. But no boat with oars will go there, no majestic ship will pass by.

For ADONAI is our judge, ADONAI is our lawgiver, ADONAI is our king. He will save us.

For ADONAI is angry at every nation, furious with all their armies; he has completely destroyed them, handed them over to slaughter.

"For my sword has drunk its fill in heaven; now it descends on Edom to judge them, the people I have doomed to destruction."

There is a sword that belongs to ADONAI. It is filled with blood, gorged with fat, filled with the blood of lambs and goats, gorged with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For ADONAI has a sacrifice in Botzrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

For ADONAI has a day of vengeance, a year of requital for fighting with Tziyon.

Horned owl and hawk will possess it, screech owl and raven will live there; he will stretch over it the measuring line of confusion and the plumbline of the empty void.

Consult the book of ADONAI and read it: not one of these will be missing, none will be lacking a mate. For by his own mouth he gave the order, and by his Spirit he brought them together.

It is he who cast the lot for them, his hand measured out their shares. They will possess it forever, and live there through all generations.

It will burst into flower, will rejoice with joy and singing, will be given the glory of the L'vanon, the splendor of Karmel and the Sharon. They will see the glory of ADONAI, the splendor of our God.

Say to the fainthearted, "Be strong and unafraid! Here is your God; he will come with vengeance; with God's retribution he will come and save you."

Those ransomed by ADONAI will return and come with singing to Tziyon, on their heads will be everlasting joy. They will acquire gladness and joy, while sorrow and sighing will flee.