I was then intimate with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The Lord said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz,

Be ashamed Sidon, the stronghold of the sea,for the sea has spoken:“I have not been in labor or given birth.I have not raised young menor brought up young women.”

As a pregnant woman about to give birthwrithes and cries out in her pains,so we were before You, Lord.

We became pregnant, we writhed in pain;we gave birth to wind.We have won no victories on earth,and the earth’s inhabitants have not fallen.

You will conceive chaff;you will give birth to stubble.Your breath is fire that will consume you.

They said to him, “This is what Hezekiah says: ‘Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and disgrace, for children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them.

This is the word of the Lordyour Maker who formed you from the womb;He will help you:Do not fear; Jacob is My servant;I have chosen Jeshurun.

How absurd is the one who says to his father,‘What are you fathering?’or to his mother,‘What are you giving birth to?’”

“Listen to Me, house of Jacob,all the remnant of the house of Israel,who have been sustained from the womb,carried along since birth.

You have never heard; you have never known;For a long time your ears have not been open.For I knew that you were very treacherous,and were known as a rebel from birth.

Look to Abraham your father,and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain.When I called him, he was only one;I blessed him and made him many.

“Rejoice, childless one, who did not give birth;burst into song and shout,you who have not been in labor!For the children of the forsaken one will be morethan the children of the married woman,”says the Lord.

No one makes claims justly;no one pleads honestly.They trust in empty and worthless words;they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.

Before Zion was in labor, she gave birth;before she was in pain, she delivered a boy.

Who has heard of such a thing?Who has seen such things?Can a land be born in one dayor a nation be delivered in an instant?Yet as soon as Zion was in labor,she gave birth to her sons.

“Will I bring a baby to the point of birthand not deliver it?”says the Lord;“or will I who deliver, close the womb?”says your God.