Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.
I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;say to those with fearful hearts,“ Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
At noon Elijah began to taunt them.“ Shout louder!” he said.“ Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”
The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;they help each other and say to their companions,“ Be strong!”The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding,“ It is good.” The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.
Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, or showed him the path of understanding?
