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Isaiah 64
1
If only you would tear apart the sky and come down!
The mountains would tremble before you!
2
As when fire ignites dry wood,
or fire makes water boil, let your adversaries know who you are, and may the nations shake at your presence!
3
When you performed awesome deeds that took us by surprise,
you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
4
Since ancient times no one has heard or perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you, who intervenes for those who wait for him.
5
You assist those who delight in doing what is right,
who observe your commandments. Look, you were angry because we violated them continually. How then can we be saved?
6
We are all like one who is unclean,
all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in your sight. We all wither like a leaf; our sins carry us away like the wind.
7
No one invokes your name,
or makes an effort to take hold of you. For you have rejected us and handed us over to our own sins.
8
Yet, Lord, you are our father.
We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the product of your labor.
9
Lord, do not be too angry!
Do not hold our sins against us continually! Take a good look at your people, at all of us!
10
Your chosen cities have become a desert;
Zion has become a desert, Jerusalem is a desolate ruin.
11
Our holy temple, our pride and joy,
the place where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire; all our prized possessions have been destroyed.
12
In light of all this, how can you still hold back, Lord?
How can you be silent and continue to humiliate us?