International Standard Version
Isaiah 61
1 “The Spirit of the LORD a is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed and b to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness c for the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, the d day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” “Then people will call them e “Oaks of Righteousness”, “The Planting of the LORD”, in order to display his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will build again the ruined cities, they will build again f the places devastated for many generations.
5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will work your land and dress your vines.
6 But as for you, you will be called priests of the LORD, and g you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and you will boast about their riches.
7 Instead of your shame you will receive double, and instead of disgrace people will shout with joy over your h inheritance; therefore you i will inherit a double portion in their land; everlasting joy will be yours.” j
8 “For I, the LORD, love justice, and k I hate robbery and iniquity; I will faithfully present your reward l and make an everlasting covenant with you. m
9 Your n offspring will be known among the nations, and your o descendants among the people. p All who see them will acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.”
10 “I will heartily rejoice in the LORD, my soul will delight in my God; for he has wrapped me in garments of salvation; he has arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, just like a bridegroom, like a priest q with a garland, and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For just as the soil brings forth its shoots, and as a garden makes what is sown within it spring up, so the LORD God r will make righteousness and praise spring up before all the nations for Zion’s sake.” s