Isaiah 61

Good News to the Oppressed

1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the afflicted.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom to captives
and release to prisoners, 2to proclaim the LORD’s year of favor
and our God’s day of vengeance,
to comfort all who mourn, 3to provide for those who mourn in Zion:
to give them a splendid headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
a garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the LORD’s planting, to display his glory. 4They will rebuild ancient ruins,
raise places devastated long ago,
and renew ruined cities,
places desolate for generations.

5Strangers will stand and tend your flocks;
foreigners will be your farmers and vine growers. 6But you will be called the LORD’s priests;
you will be named ministers of our God.
You will eat the nations’ wealth
and take pride in their splendor. 7Instead of your shame, a double portion;
instead of humiliation, they will shout for joy over their share.
So they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs. 8“For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery in a burnt offering.
I will faithfully give them their reward
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9Their offspring will be known among the nations,
their descendants among the peoples.
All who see them will recognize
that they are offspring the LORD has blessed.” 10I rejoice greatly in the LORD;
my whole being exults in my God.
He has clothed me in garments of salvation
and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness,
like a bridegroom wearing a priestly headdress,
like a bride adorning herself with jewels. 11As the earth brings out its shoots
and a garden makes its seeds sprout,
so the Lord GOD will make righteousness and praise
sprout before all the nations.