Isaiah 61

Isaiah, chapter 61
Good news for the oppressed

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me
For the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
And to proclaim that captives will be
Released and prisoners will be freed

He has sent me to tell those who mourn that
The time of the Lord's favor has come
And with it the day of God's anger against their enemies
To all who mourn in Israel he will give a crown of beauty for ashes
A joyous blessing instead of mourning
Festive praise instead of despair
In their righteousness they will be like great
Oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory

They will rebuild the ancient ruins
Repairing cities destroyed long ago
They will revive them, though they have
Been deserted for many generations
Foreigners will be your servants
They will feed your flocks and plow
Your fields and tend your vineyards
You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God
You will feed on the treasures of the
Nations and boast in their riches
Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land
And everlasting joy will be yours

For I, the Lord, love justice
I hate robbery and wrongdoing
I will faithfully reward my people for their
Suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them

Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations
Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God
For he has dressed me with the clothing of
Salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his
Wedding or a bride with her jewels

The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world
Everyone will praise him
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring
With plants springing up everywhere