Good News of Deliveerance

1“The Spirit of the LORDa is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me;

he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed

andb to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives,

and release from darknessc for the prisoners;

2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,

thed day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3to 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 theme “Oaks of Righteousness”,

“The Planting of the LORD”,

in order to display his splendor.

4They will rebuild the ancient ruins;

they will restore the places long devastated;

they will build again the ruined cities,

they will build againf the places devastated for many generations.

5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks,

and foreigners will work your land

and dress your vines.

6But as for you, you will be called priests of the LORD,

andg you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of the nations,

and you will boast about their riches.

7Instead of your shame you will receive double,

and instead of disgrace people will shout with joy over yourh inheritance;

therefore youi will inherit a double portion in their land;

everlasting joy will be yours.”j

8“For I, the LORD, love justice,

andk I hate robbery and iniquity;

I will faithfully present your rewardl

and make an everlasting covenant with you.m

9Yourn offspring will be known among the nations,

and youro descendants among the people.p

All who see them will acknowledge them,

that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.”

Rejoicing in God’s Deliverance

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 priestq with a garland,

and like a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11For just as the soil brings forth its shoots,

and as a garden makes what is sown within it spring up,

so the LORD Godr will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all the nations for Zion’s sake.”s