1
"Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -- even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk -- it's all free!
2
Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why
pay for food that does you no good? Listen, and I will tell you where to
get food that is good for the soul!
3
"Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your
soul is at stake. I am ready to make an everlasting covenant with you. I
will give you all the mercies and unfailing love that I promised to
David.
4
He displayed my power by being my witness and a leader among the nations.
5
You also will command the nations, and they will come running to
obey, because I, the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, have made
you glorious."
6
Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
7
Let the people turn from their wicked deeds. Let them banish from
their minds the very thought of doing wrong! Let them turn to the LORD
that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon.
8
"My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways
higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10
"The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground
to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for
the farmer and bread for the hungry.
11
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces
fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper
everywhere I send it.
12
You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst
into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13
Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where briers
grew, myrtles will sprout up. This miracle will bring great honor to the
LORD's name; it will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New
Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House
Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
