Isaiah, chapter 61
The Good News of Victory
he 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.
2 This 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 honor his name.
4Then they will rebuild cities that have been in ruins
for many generations.
5 They 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 mistreated;
now they will be greatly blessed and joyful forever.
The Lord Loves Justice
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.
Celebrate and Shout
10 I 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 jewelry worn
by a bride or groom.
11The Lord will bring about justice and praise
in every nation on earth,
like flowers blooming in a garden.
The Lord will bring about justice and praise in every nation on earth, like flowers blooming in a garden.
— Isa 61.11