Study

The Good News of Deliverance

61

The spirit of the Lord G od is upon me,

because the L ord has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and release to the prisoners;

2

to proclaim the year of the L ord’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 them a garland instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the L ord, to display his glory.

4

They shall build up the ancient ruins,

they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

 

5

Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,

foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines;

6

but you shall be called priests of the L ord,

you shall be named ministers of our God;

you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,

and in their riches you shall glory.

7

Because their shame was double,

and dishonor was proclaimed as their lot,

therefore they shall possess a double portion;

everlasting joy shall be theirs.

 

8

For I the L ord love justice,

I hate robbery and wrongdoing;

I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9

Their descendants shall be known among the nations,

and their offspring among the peoples;

all who see them shall acknowledge

that they are a people whom the L ord has blessed.

10

I will greatly rejoice in the L ord,

my whole being shall exult 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 brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

so the Lord G od will cause righteousness and praise

to spring up before all the nations.