[61:1] The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.
[61:2] He has sent me to proclaim That the time has come When the Lord will save his people And defeat their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn,
[61:3] To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the Lord himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.
[61:4] They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins.
[61:5] My people, foreigners will serve you. They will take care of your flocks And farm your land and tend your vineyards.
[61:6] And you will be known as the priests of the Lord, The servants of our God. You will enjoy the wealth of the nations And be proud that it is yours.
[61:7] Your shame and disgrace are ended. You will live in your own land, And your wealth will be doubled; Your joy will last forever.
[61:8] The Lord says, “I love justice and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people And make an eternal covenant with them.
[61:9] They will be famous among the nations; Everyone who sees them will know That they are a people whom I have blessed.”
[61:10] Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.
[61:11] As surely as seeds sprout and grow, The Sovereign Lord will save his people, And all the nations will praise him.
[62:1] I will speak out to encourage Jerusalem; I will not be silent until she is saved, And her victory shines like a torch in the night.
[62:2] Jerusalem, the nations will see you victorious! All their kings will see your glory. You will be called by a new name, A name given by the Lord himself.
[62:3] You will be like a beautiful crown for the Lord.
[62:4] No longer will you be called “Forsaken,” Or your land be called “The Deserted Wife.” Your new name will be “God Is Pleased with Her.” Your land will be called “Happily Married,” Because the Lord is pleased with you And will be like a husband to your land.
[62:5] Like a young man taking a virgin as his bride, He who formed you will marry you. As a groom is delighted with his bride, So your God will delight in you.
[62:6] On your walls, Jerusalem, I have placed sentries; They must never be silent day or night. They must remind the Lord of his promises And never let him forget them.
[62:7] They must give him no rest until he restores Jerusalem And makes it a city the whole world praises.
[62:8] The Lord has made a solemn promise, And by his power he will carry it out: “Your grain will no longer be food for your enemies, And foreigners will no longer drink your wine.
[62:9] But you that planted and harvested the grain Will eat the bread and praise the Lord. You that tended and gathered the grapes Will drink the wine in the courts of my Temple.”
[62:10] People of Jerusalem, go out of the city And build a road for your returning people! Prepare a highway; clear it of stones! Put up a signal so that the nations can know
[62:11] That the Lord is announcing to all the earth: “Tell the people of Jerusalem That the Lord is coming to save you, Bringing with him the people he has rescued.”
[62:12] You will be called “God's Holy People,” “The People the Lord Has Saved.” Jerusalem will be called “The City That God Loves,” “The City That God Did Not Forsake.”