A sound of uproar from the city!
A voice from the temple—
the voice of the Lord,
paying back His enemies what they deserve!(A)

Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth;
before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.
Who has heard of such a thing?
Who has seen such things?
Can a land be born in one day
or a nation be delivered in an instant?
Yet as soon as Zion was in labor,
she gave birth to her sons.

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Hear that uproar from the city,
    hear that noise from the temple!
It is the sound(A) of the Lord
    repaying(B) his enemies all they deserve.

“Before she goes into labor,(C)
    she gives birth;
before the pains come upon her,
    she delivers a son.(D)
Who has ever heard of such things?
    Who has ever seen(E) things like this?
Can a country be born in a day(F)
    or a nation be brought forth in a moment?
Yet no sooner is Zion in labor
    than she gives birth to her children.(G)

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