Isaiah — Chapter 61

The spirit of my Sovereign GOD is upon me,Because GOD has anointed me.I have been sent as a herald of joy to the humble,To bind up the wounded of heart,To proclaim release to the captives,Liberation to the imprisoned;

To proclaim a year of GOD’s favorAnd a day of vindication by our God;To comfort all who mourn—

To provide foraTo provide for Meaning of Heb. uncertain. the mourners in Zion—To give them a turban instead of ashes,The festive ointment instead of mourning,A garment of splendor instead of a drooping spirit.They shall be called terebinths of victory,Planted by GOD for glory’s sake.

And they shall build the ancient ruins,Raise up the desolations of old,And renew the ruined cities,The desolations of many ages.

Strangers shall stand and pasture your flocks,Aliens shall be your plowers and vine-trimmers;

While you shall be called “Priests of GOD,”And termed “Servants of our God.”You shall enjoy the wealth of nationsAnd revelbrevel Meaning of Heb. uncertain. in their riches.

Because your shame was double—Men cried, “Disgrace is their portion”cMen cried, “Disgrace is their portion” Emendation yields “They inherited disgrace as their portion.”—Assuredly,They shall have a double share in their land;Joy shall be theirs for all time.

For I GOD love justice,I hate robbery with a burnt offering.drobbery with a burnt offering Emendation yields “the robbing of wages.” I will pay them their wages faithfully,And make a covenant with them for all time.

Their offspring shall be known among the nations,Their descendants in the midst of the peoples.All who see them shall recognizeThat they are a stock GOD has blessed.

I greatly rejoice in GOD,My whole being exults in my God—Who has clothed me with garments of triumph,Wrapped me in a robe of victory,Like a bridegroom adorned with a turban,Like a bride bedecked with her finery.

For as the earth brings forth her growthAnd a garden makes the seed shoot up,So my Sovereign GOD will makeVictory and renown shoot upIn the presence of all the nations.