A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

For now Your Creator will be your spouse,

whose name is Our God Most High.

Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel,

called the God of all the earth.

For Our God calls you back from your grief-

a young wife abandoned by her husband.

I did abandon you for a brief moment,

but with much tenderness I will take you back.

In an outburst of wrath, I hid my face momentarily;

but with everlasting love I will gather you,

says Our God, Your Redeemer.

I am now as I was in the days of Noah

when I swore that Noah’s waters

should never flood the earth again.

So now I swear not to be angry with you.

or to make threats against you.

For the mountains may disappear and the hills may depart,

but my love will never leave you

nor my covenant of peace by shaken,

says Your God, who has mercy on you.

O afflicted one, storm-battered and unconsoled,

I will lay your pavements in carnelians,

and your foundations in sapphires.

I will make your battlements of rubies,

your gates of crystal,

and all your walls of precious stones.

Your children will all be taught by Our God;

the prosperity of your children will be great.

In justice you will be established,

far from the fear of oppression,

where destruction cannot come near you.

The Word of God recorded in Isaiah.