Baruch
Chapter 5
Jerusalem,
put aside your garment
of mourning and sorrow,
and put on the splendor
and glory of God forever.
Wrap yourself
in the mantle of holiness
that comes from God,
and place on your head
the crown of glory
from the Eternal One.
For God will reveal your splendor
to everyone under heaven.
He will call your name forever:
“peace in justice”
and “glory in the fear of the Lord.”
Rise, Jerusalem, stand on the heights.
Look east and see your children
gathered from the setting
of the sun to its rising,
by the voice of the Holy One,
rejoicing because God
has remembered them.
They left you on foot,
taken away by the enemy.
God will lead them back,
carried proudly like royal princes.
For God has decided
to bring down every high mountain
and the everlasting hills,
to fill the valleys,
and to level the ground
so that Israel can walk
in safety under God’s glory.
Even the forests
and the fragrant trees
will provide shade to Israel
at God’s command.
For God will lead Israel
with joy by the light of his glory,
guiding them
with his mercy and justice.
Commentaries
Restoration of Jerusalem.
After confession and the call to amend, an oracle of salvation and comfort appears—a poetic vision inspired by Isaiah 40-66, full of imagery of marriage and lyrical apostrophe. The Lord’s relationship with his people is shown through familiar family roles: God as Father (Dt 8:5; Is 1:2), Jerusalem as Mother (Is 49:14-16; 54:1-3; 66:7-14), and the Lord as Husband (Is 62:1-9). The Father expects respect (Mal 1:6) and disciplines his children (Hos 11). The Mother, moved by compassion (Is 49:15), grieves but also encourages and intercedes, echoing Moses (Nm 11). Abandoned, Jerusalem becomes a widow (Is 50:1; 54:4), her children dead or exiled (Is 51:18). Yet she trusts, sensing salvation and a renewed exodus.
The prophet speaks to the people (4:5-8); Jerusalem addresses her neighbors (4:9-16) and children (4:17-29). Then the prophet speaks directly to Jerusalem (4:30-5:9). She stands as the geographical center, surrounded by neighboring capitals, with exile extending far beyond. A movement of return is envisioned—but only Israelites come back. Unlike Isaiah 2:2-5 or Zechariah 8:20-23, the pagans do not join. Still, hope stirs in Jerusalem’s heart.