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Isaiah 55
1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
(8,6,8,6)
Ho! ye that thirst, approach the spring
where living waters flow:
Free to that sacred fountain all
without a price may go.
How long to streams of false delight
will ye in crowds repair?
How long your strength and substance waste
on trifles, light as air?
My stores afford those rich supplies
that health and pleasure give:
Incline your ear, and come to me;
the soul that hears shall live.
With you a cov’nant I will make,
that ever shall endure;
The hope which gladdened David’s heart
my mercy hath made sure.
Behold he comes! your leader comes,
with might and honour crowned;
A witness who shall spread my name
to earth’s remotest bound.
See! nations hasten to his call
from ev’ry distant shore;
Isles, yet unknown, shall bow to him,
and Isr’el’s God adore.
Seek ye the Lord while yet his ear
is open to your call;
While offered mercy still is near,
before his footstool fall.
Let sinners quit their evil ways,
their evil thoughts forego:
And God, when they to him return,
returning grace will show.
He pardons with o’erflowing love:
for, hear the voice divine!
My nature is not like to yours,
nor like your ways are mine:
But far as heav’n’s resplendent orbs
beyond earth’s spot extend,
As far my thoughts, as far my ways,
your ways and thoughts transcend.
And as the rains from heav’n distil,
nor thither mount again,
But swell the earth with fruitful juice,
and all its tribes sustain:
So not a word that flows from me
shall ineffectual fall;
But universal nature prove
obedient to my call.
With joy and peace shall then be led
the glad converted lands;
The lofty mountains then shall sing,
the forests clap their hands.
Where briers grew ‘midst barren wilds,
shall firs and myrtles spring;
And nature, through its utmost bounds,
eternal praises sing.
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