What Are You Afraid of—or Who?

12-16 “I, I’m the One comforting you.
    What are you afraid of—or who?
Some man or woman who’ll soon be dead?
    Some poor wretch destined for dust?
You’ve forgotten me, God, who made you,
    who unfurled the skies, who founded the earth.
And here you are, quaking like an aspen
    before the tantrums of a tyrant
    who thinks he can kick down the world.
But what will come of the tantrums?
    The victims will be released before you know it.
They’re not going to die.
    They’re not even going to go hungry.
For I am God, your very own God,
    who stirs up the sea and whips up the waves,
    named God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
I teach you how to talk, word by word,
    and personally watch over you,
Even while I’m unfurling the skies,
    setting earth on solid foundations,
    and greeting Zion: ‘Welcome, my people!’”

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13 that you forget(A) the Lord your Maker,(B)
    who stretches out the heavens(C)
    and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror(D) every day
    because of the wrath of the oppressor,
    who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?(E)
14     The cowering prisoners will soon be set free;(F)
they will not die in their dungeon,
    nor will they lack bread.(G)
15 For I am the Lord your God,
    who stirs up the sea(H) so that its waves roar(I)
    the Lord Almighty(J) is his name.

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