Isaiah 26
1BEHOLD we have a strong city! He will make salvation its wall and outworks.
2Open the gates; let the people enter, who keep righteousness and who keep truth;
3who support truth and keep peace;
4because their confidence is placed in Thee, O Lord! Who art to everlasting, the Mighty, the Eternal God,
5Who hast humbled and brought down them who dwell in lofty places. Fortified cities Thou canst demolish and level them with the dust,
6that the feet of the meek and lowly may trample them.
7The way of the pious was straight; the way of the pious was well prepared; for the way of the Lord is justice.
8We have trusted in Thy name and in that remembrance which is the desire of our soul by night.
9To Thee, O God, my spirit awaketh early, because Thy statutes are a light on the earth. Learn righteousness ye dwellers on earth, for the wicked one is no more.
10Whoever will not learn justice on earth, cannot act agreeably to truth. Let the wicked be removed that he may not see the glory of the Lord.
11Thy hand, O Lord, was lifted high; but they did not know it; but when they know they will be ashamed. Zeal will seize an uninstructed people; even now a fire devoureth the adversaries.
12O Lord, our God, grant us peace, for Thou hast forgiven us all things.
13O Lord, our God, take possession of us! besides Thee, O Lord, we know none other. We celebrate Thy name.
14, 15As for those who are dead they would not see life, nor can physicians raise them up; therefore Thou hast removed and destroyed and taken away all their males. Heap, O Lord, evils upon them—Heap evils on the vainglorious of the earth.
16O Lord, in affliction I remembered Thee. Thine instruction to us was with a small affliction;
17and as a woman in labour, when near delivery, crieth in her pangs, so have we been to Thy beloved. On account of the fear of Thee, O Lord,
18we conceived and suffered the pangs of childbirth, and brought forth the spirit of Thy salvation; for what we did in that land we are not to fall; but all the dwellers in that land are to fall.
19The dead shall be raised up again, even they in the tombs shall be raised up: and they in this land shall be filled with joy: for the dew from thee is healing for them; but the land of the ungodly shall fall.
20Go, my people, enter into thy chambers; shut thy door: hide thyself for a little while; until the anger of the Lord is passed.
21For behold the Lord from His sanctuary is about to bring wrath on the inhabitants of this land; and the land will disclose the blood on it, and will no longer cover the slain.