Isaiah 61

₁The Spirit of the LORD God

has taken control of me!

The LORD has chosen and sent me

to tell the oppressed

the good news,

to heal the brokenhearted,

and to announce freedom

for prisoners and captives.

₂This is the year

when the LORD God

will show kindness to us

and punish our enemies.

The LORD has sent me

to comfort those who mourn,

₃especially in Jerusalem.

He sent me to give them flowers

in place of their sorrow,

olive oil in place of tears,

and joyous praise

in place of broken hearts.

They will be called

“Trees of Justice”,

planted by the LORD

to honour his name.

₄Then they will rebuild cities

that have been in ruins

for many generations.

₅They will hire foreigners

to take care of their sheep

and their vineyards.

₆But they themselves will be

priests and servants

of the LORD our God.

The treasures of the nations

will belong to them,

and they will be famous.

₇They were terribly insulted

and horribly ill-treated;

now they will be greatly blessed

and joyful for ever.

₈I, the LORD, love justice!

But I hate robbery

and injustice.

My people, I solemnly promise

to reward you

with an eternal agreement.

₉Your descendants will be known

in every nation.

All who see them will realize

that they have been blessed,

by me, the LORD.

₁₀I celebrate and shout

because of my LORD God.

His saving power and justice

are the very clothes I wear.

They are more beautiful

than the jewellery worn

by a bride or a groom.

₁₁The LORD will bring about

justice and praise

in every nation on earth,

like flowers blooming

in a garden.