Isaiah 61

1 The Lord’s Spirit is on me because he anointed me. He sent me to bring good news to the poor, heal those whose hearts are broken, announce release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind,

2 to announce the Lord’s acceptable year and the day of repayment, and to comfort all who mourn,

3 He sent me to give those mourning in Zion glory instead of ashes, joyful oil for mourners, and glorious clothing instead of a heavy spirit. They will be called generations of righteousness, the Lord’s planting for glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins, raise the places devastated before, and renew the deserted cities that remained desolate for many generations.

5 Foreigners will come and tend your flocks, and outsiders will be your farmers and vineyard workers.

6 But you will be called the Lord’s priests, God’s servants. You will consume the strength of nations and be admired because of their wealth.

7 In this way they will inherit the land a second time, and everlasting joy will rest on their heads.

8 I am the Lord who loves righteousness and hates robbery born of wrongdoing. I will give their labor to the righteous and make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 Their offspring and their descendants will be known among the nations. Everyone who sees them will recognize that they are offspring blessed by God.

10 They will rejoice greatly in the Lord.

Let my soul rejoice in the Lord, because he clothed me with the robe of rescue and the garment of joy. He placed a turban on me like a bridegroom and adorned me with ornaments like a bride.

11 As earth sends up its flowers and a garden its seed, so the Lord will cause righteousness and celebration to spring up before all nations.