“Thus says Yahweh.
‘I will extend prosperity to her
Like a river.
The wealth of the nations shall be
Like an overflowing stream.
You shall nurse.
You shall be carried on her arm.
You shall be dandled on her knees.
As a mother comforts her child,
So I will comfort you.
You shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
You shall see.
Your heart shall rejoice.
Your bones shall flourish
Like the grass.
It shall be known
That the hand of Yahweh is
With his servants.
His indignation is
Against his enemies.’”
The prophet proclaims that Yahweh, in the first person singular, will bring prosperity to Jerusalem like an overflowing river. Yahweh will nurse and carry them in his arms. He will rock them on his knees, as Yahweh assumes the anthropomorphic feminine role of a nurturing mother. He will be like a comforting mother as he comforts Jerusalem. They will see and rejoice as their bodies flourish like wild grass. Yahweh’s hand is with his servants, but his indignation is against his enemies.