[52:1] Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again.
[52:2] Shake yourself free, Jerusalem! Rise from the dust and sit on your throne! Undo the chains that bind you, captive people of Zion!
[52:3] The Sovereign Lord says to his people, “When you became slaves, no money was paid for you; in the same way nothing will be paid to set you free.
[52:4] When you went to live in Egypt as foreigners, you did so of your own free will; Assyria, however, took you away by force and paid nothing for you.
[52:5] And now in Babylonia the same thing has happened: you are captives, and nothing was paid for you. Those who rule over you boast and brag and constantly show contempt for me.
[52:6] In time to come you will acknowledge that I am God and that I have spoken to you.”
[52:7] How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, “Your God is king!”
[52:8] Those who guard the city are shouting, shouting together for joy. They can see with their own eyes the return of the Lord to Zion.
[52:9] Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem! The Lord will rescue his city and comfort his people.
[52:10] The Lord will use his holy power; he will save his people, and all the world will see it.
[52:11] Be sure to leave Babylonia, all you that carry the Temple equipment. Touch no forbidden thing; keep yourselves holy and leave.
[52:12] This time you will not have to leave in a hurry; you will not be trying to escape. The Lord your God will lead you and protect you on every side.