O
Jerusalem, look about you toward the east, and behold the joy that comes to you
from God. Behold, your sons come, whom you sent away, they come gathered
together from the east to the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in
the glory of God.
Put
off, O Jerusalem, the garment of your mourning and affliction, and put on the
beauty of the glory that comes from God forever. Cast about you
the robe of the righteousness which comes from God; set a diadem on
your head of the glory of the Everlasting. For God will show your
brightness to every region under heaven. For your name shall be
called of God forever ‘The peace of righteousness,’ and ‘The glory of
godliness.’ Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand upon the height, and look about
you toward the east, and behold your children gathered from the going down of
the sun to the rising thereof at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that God
has remembered them. For they went from you on foot, being led away of
their enemies: but God brings them in to you borne on high with
glory, as on a royal throne. For God has appointed
that every high mountain, and the everlasting hills, should be made low, and
the valleys filled up, to make plain the ground, that Israel may go safely in
the glory of God. Moreover, the woods and every sweet-smelling tree have
overshadowed Israel by the commandment of God. For God shall lead Israel
with joy in the light of his glory with the mercy and righteousness that comes
from him.
Baruch
4:36-37, 5:1-9
Photo: Cathedral Rock, Sedona, Arizona
