SCRIPTURE
Isaiah 49: 8-16a
8 Thus says the LORD: In a time of favor I have answered you, on a day of
salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the
people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages;
9 saying to the prisoners, "Come out," to those who
are in darkness, "Show yourselves." They shall feed along the ways, on
all the bare heights1 shall be their pasture;
10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor
sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by
springs of water will guide them. 11
And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised
up. 12 Lo, these shall
come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these
from the land of Syene.1 13
Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into
singing! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his
suffering ones. 14 But
Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me."
15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion
for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your
walls are continually before me.