55:1 If you are thirsty, come and drink water! If you don't have any money, come, eat what you want! Drink wine and milk without paying a cent. |
55:2 Why waste your money on what really isn't food? Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Listen carefully to me, and you will enjoy the very best foods. |
55:3 Pay close attention! Come to me and live. I will promise you the eternal love and loyalty that I promised David. |
55:4 I made him the leader and ruler of the nations; he was my witness to them. |
55:5 You will call out to nations you have never known. And they have never known you, but they will come running because I am the LORD, the holy God of Israel, and I have honored you. |
55:6 Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. |
55:7 Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins. |
55:8 The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours. |
55:9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours. |
55:10 "Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don't return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat. |
55:11 That's how it is with my words. They don't return to me without doing everything I send them to do." |
55:12 When you are set free, you will celebrate and travel home in peace. Mountains and hills will sing as you pass by, and trees will clap. |
55:13 Cypress and myrtle trees will grow in fields once covered by thorns. And then those trees will stand as a lasting witness to the glory of the LORD. |