61
1 The
Lord GOD’s Spirit
is on me,
because the LORD
has anointed me
to preach good
news to the
humble.
He has sent
me to bind
up the broken
hearted,
to proclaim
liberty to the
captives
and release to
those who are
bound,
2 to
proclaim the year
of the LORD’s
favor
and the day
of vengeance of
our God,
to comfort all
who mourn,
3 to
provide for those
who mourn in Zion,
to give to
them a garland
for ashes,
the oil of
joy for mourning,
the garment of
praise for the
spirit of
heaviness,
that they may
be called trees of
righteousness,
the planting of
the LORD,
that he may
be glorified.
4 They
will rebuild the
old ruins.
They will raise
up the former
devastated places.
They will repair
the ruined cities
that have been
devastated for
many generations.
5 Strangers
will stand and
feed your flocks.
Foreigners will work
your fields and
your vineyards.
6 But
you will be
called the LORD’s
priests.
Men will call
you the servants
of our God.
You will eat the
wealth of the
nations.
You will boast
in their glory.
7 Instead
of your shame
you will have
double.
Instead of
dishonor, they
will rejoice in
their portion.
Therefore in
their land they
will possess
double.
Everlasting joy
will be to
them.
8 “For
I, the LORD, love
justice.
I hate robbery
and iniquity.
I will give
them their reward
in truth
and I will
make an
everlasting covenant
with them.
9 Their
offspring will be
known among the
nations,
and their
offspring among
the peoples.
All who see
them will
acknowledge them,
that they are
the offspring
which the LORD
has blessed.”
10 I
will greatly
rejoice in the
LORD!
My soul will
be joyful in
my God,
for he has
clothed me with
the garments of
salvation.
He has covered
me with the
robe of
righteousness,
as a bridegroom
decks himself with
a garland
and as a
bride adorns
herself with her
jewels.
11 For
as the earth
produces its bud,
and as the
garden causes the
things that are
sown in it
to spring up,
so the Lord
GOD will cause
righteousness and
praise to spring
up before all
the nations.