CHAPTER 61
The Spirit
of the Lord
GOD
is on Me,
because
the LORD
has anointed Me
to preach good news
to the poor.
He has sent Me
to bind up
the brokenhearted,
to proclaim
liberty
to the captives
and release from darkness
to the prisoners,
to proclaim
the year
of the LORD’s
favor
and the day
of our God’s
vengeance,
to comfort
all
who mourn,
to provide
for those who grieve
in Zion—
to give
them
a crown of beauty
for
ashes,
the oil
of joy
for
mourning,
and a garment
of praise
in place
of a spirit
of despair.
So they will be called
oaks
of righteousness,
the planting
of the LORD,
that He may be glorified.
They will rebuild
the ancient
ruins;
they will restore
the places long
devastated;
they will renew
the ruined
cities,
the desolations
of many
generations.
But you
will be called
the priests
of the LORD;
they will speak
of you as ministers
of our God;
you will feed on
the wealth
of the nations,
and you will boast
in their riches.
Instead
of shame,
My people will have a double portion,
and instead of humiliation,
they will rejoice
in their share;
and so
they will inherit
a double portion
in their land,
and everlasting
joy
will be
theirs.
For
I,
the LORD,
love
justice;
I hate
robbery
and iniquity;
in My faithfulness
I will give them
their recompense
and make
an everlasting
covenant with them.
Their descendants
will be known
among the nations,
and their offspring
among
the peoples.
All
who see them
will acknowledge
that
they
are a people
the LORD
has blessed.
I will rejoice greatly
in the LORD,
my soul
will exult
in my God;
for
He has clothed me
with garments
of salvation
and wrapped me
in a robe
of righteousness,
as a groom
wears a priestly
headdress,
and as a bride
adorns herself
with her jewels.
For
as the earth
brings forth
its growth,
and as a garden
enables seed
to spring up,
so
the Lord
GOD
will cause righteousness
and praise
to spring up
before
all
the nations.