1The Spirit of the LORD and King is on me. The LORD has anointed me to announce good news to poor people. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts have been broken. He has sent me to announce freedom for those who have been captured. He wants me to set prisoners free from their dark cells.2He has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free. He wants me to announce the day when he will pay his enemies back. Our God has sent me to comfort all those who are sad.3He wants me to help those in Zion who are filled with sorrow. I will put beautiful crowns on their heads in place of ashes. I will anoint them with olive oil to give them joy instead of sorrow. I will give them a spirit of praise in place of a spirit of sadness. They will be like oak trees that are strong and straight. The LORD himself will plant them in the land. That will show how glorious he is.4They will rebuild the places that were destroyed long ago. They will repair the buildings that have been broken down for many years. They will make the destroyed cities like new again. They have been broken down for a very long time.5Outsiders will serve you by taking care of your flocks. People from other lands will work in your fields and vineyards.6You will be called priests of the LORD. You will be named workers for our God. You will enjoy the wealth of nations. You will boast about getting their riches.7Instead of being put to shame you will receive a double share of wealth. Instead of being dishonoured you will be glad to be in your land. You will receive a double share of riches there. And you’ll be filled with joy that will last for ever.8The LORD says, ‘I love those who do what is right. I hate it when people steal and do other sinful things. So I will be faithful to my people. And I will bless them. I will make a covenant with them that will last for ever.9Their children after them will be famous among the nations. Their families will be praised by people everywhere. All those who see them will agree that I have blessed them.’10The people of Jerusalem will say, ‘We take great delight in the LORD. We are joyful because we belong to our God. He has dressed us with salvation as if it were our clothes. He has put robes of godliness on us. We are like a groom who is dressed up for his wedding. We are like a bride who decorates herself with her jewels.11The soil makes the young plant come up. A garden causes seeds to grow. In the same way, the LORD and King will make godliness grow. And all the nations will praise him.’
Isaiah 61
English Standard Version
The Year of the Lord’s Favor
1The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;[1] he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;[2] (Ps 45:7; Ps 146:7; Isa 11:2; Isa 42:1; Isa 45:13; Isa 48:16; Lu 4:18)2to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; (Le 25:10; Isa 34:8)3to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.[3] (Ps 45:7; Isa 28:5; Isa 60:21; Isa 61:10; Joh 15:8; Heb 1:9)4They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. (Isa 58:12; Am 9:14)5Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; (Isa 14:2; Isa 60:10)6but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. (Ex 19:6; Isa 60:5; Isa 60:11; Isa 60:16; Joe 1:9; 1Pe 2:9)7Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. (Isa 40:2; Isa 54:7; Zec 9:12)8For I the Lord love justice; I hate robbery and wrong;[4] I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. (Ps 11:7; Isa 40:10; Isa 49:4; Isa 55:3; Isa 59:15)9Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.10I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul 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 like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isa 49:18; Isa 59:17; Isa 61:3; Hab 3:18; Zec 3:4; Re 21:2)11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. (Isa 60:18; Isa 62:7)