Reading age

Isaiah 12

What Happens in This Chapter

This short chapter is a song of thanks that people will sing "in that day." The singer says God was angry but his anger has turned away, and God has become his salvation. Then the song turns outward: sing to the LORD, tell other peoples what he has done, and shout because the Holy One of Israel is in the middle of Zion. It follows Isaiah's promises about a coming king and a people brought back home.

Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.

And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

1On that day you will say: "LORD, I will thank you. You were angry with me. But your anger has gone away. You have comforted me."

2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

2"Look, God is the one who saves me. I will trust him and not be afraid. The LORD God makes me strong. He is my song. He has saved me."

3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

3God's saving help is like water in a deep well. You will draw it up with joy.

In Isaiah's time, people drew their drinking water up from wells and springs by hand, every day. Saying God's help is a well means it is fresh, needed, and always there to draw from.

4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

4On that day you will say: "Thank the LORD! Call out to him by name. Tell all the peoples what he has done. Tell them his name is great."

5Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

5Sing to the LORD. He has done wonderful things. Let the whole earth hear about it.

6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

6Shout out loud, you who live in Zion, the city of Jerusalem. The Holy One of Israel, God himself, is great. He is right there with you.

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