Isaiah 55:6-13

Seek the Lord YAHWEH when he makes himself approachable; call upon him when you sense he is near. The wicked need to abandon their ways, and sinful ones need to banish every evil thought. Let them return to YAHWEH, and they will experience his compassionate mercy. Yes, let them return to God, for he will lavish forgiveness upon them. “For my thoughts about mercy are not like your thoughts, and my ways are different from yours. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so my ways and my thoughts are higher than yours. “As the snow and rain that fall from heaven do not return until they have accomplished their purpose, soaking the earth and causing it to sprout with new life, providing seed to sow and bread to eat. So also will be the word that I speak; it does not return to me unfulfilled. My word performs my purpose and fulfills the mission I sent it out to accomplish.” For you will leave your exile with joy and be led home wrapped in peace. The mountains and hills in front of you will burst into singing and the trees of the field will applaud! Cypress trees will flourish where there were only thorns and myrtle trees instead of briars. These will stand as a testimony to YAHWEH’s renown, everlasting signs that will not be cut off.