Isaiah, chapter 60
Chapters 60–62 describe how foreigners will help rebuild Jerusalem and bring gifts to Israel's people and to the Lord. The Lord's people will live as shining examples of justice, and it will be clear to all that Israel is once again the “Lord's Own People” (62.12).
A New Day for Jerusalem
erusalem, stand up! Shine! Your new day is dawning.
The glory of the Lord shines brightly on you.
2The earth and its people are covered with darkness,
but the glory of the Lord is shining upon you.
3Nations and kings will come to the light
of your dawning day.
Crowds Are Coming to Jerusalem
4Open your eyes! Look around! Crowds are coming.
Your sons are on their way from distant lands;
your daughters are being carried like little children.
5When you see this, your faces will glow;
your hearts will pound and swell with pride.
Treasures from across the sea and the wealth of nations
will be brought to you.
6Your country will be covered with caravans
of young camels from Midian and Ephah.
The people of Sheba will bring gold and spices
in praise of me, the Lord.
7Every sheep of Kedar will come to you;
rams from Nebaioth will be yours as well.
I will accept them as offerings
and bring honor to my temple.
8What is that sailing by like clouds
or like doves flying home?
9On those distant islands
your people are waiting for me, the Lord.
Seagoing ships lead the way to bring them home
with their silver and gold.
I, the holy Lord God of Israel, do this
to honor your people, so they will honor me.
Jerusalem Will Be Rebuilt
10Jerusalem, your city walls will be rebuilt by foreigners;
their rulers will become your slaves.
I punished you in my anger;
now I will be kind and treat you with mercy.
11 Your gates will be open day and night
to let the rulers of nations lead their people to you
with all their treasures.
12Any nation or kingdom that refuses to serve you
will be wiped out.
13Wood from Lebanon's best trees will be brought to you—
the pines, the firs, and the cypress trees.
It will be used in my temple to make beautiful
the place where I rest my feet.
14 The descendants of enemies who hated and mistreated you
will kneel at your feet.
They will say, “You are Zion, the city of the Lord,
the holy One of Israel.”
15You were hated and deserted, rejected by everyone.
But I will make you beautiful, a city to be proud of
for all time to come.
16You will drain the wealth of kings and foreign nations.
You will know that I, the mighty Lord God of Israel,
have saved and rescued you.
17I will bring bronze and iron
in place of wood and stone;
in place of bronze and iron,
I will bring gold and silver.
I will appoint peace and justice
as your rulers and leaders.
18Violence, destruction, and ruin will never again
be heard of within your borders.
“Victory” will be the name you give to your walls;
“Praise” will be the name you give to your gates.
19You won't need the light of the sun or the moon.
I, the Lord your God, will be your eternal light
and bring you honor.
20Your sun will never set or your moon go down.
I, the Lord, will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will come to an end.
21Your people will live right and always own the land;
they are the trees I planted to bring praise to me.
22Even the smallest family will be a powerful nation.
I am the Lord, and when the time comes,
I will quickly do all this.