Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the Lord that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

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Hear the word of the Lord,
    you who tremble at his word:(A)
“Your own people who hate(B) you,
    and exclude you because of my name, have said,
‘Let the Lord be glorified,
    that we may see your joy!’
    Yet they will be put to shame.(C)
Hear that uproar from the city,
    hear that noise from the temple!
It is the sound(D) of the Lord
    repaying(E) his enemies all they deserve.

“Before she goes into labor,(F)
    she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
    she delivers a son.(G)
Who has ever heard of such things?
    Who has ever seen(H) things like this?
Can a country be born in a day(I)
    or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
    than she gives birth to her children.(J)
Do I bring to the moment of birth(K)
    and not give delivery?” says the Lord.
“Do I close up the womb
    when I bring to delivery?” says your God.

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