1 The Year of the Lord's Favor
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, 1 because the Lord has anointed me 1 to preach good news to the poor. 1 He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 1 to proclaim freedom for the captives 1 and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor 2 and the day of vengeance of our God, 2 to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— 3 to bestow on them a crown of beauty 3 instead of ashes, 3 the oil of gladness 3 instead of mourning, 3 and a garment of praise 3 instead of a spirit of despair. 3 They will be called oaks of righteousness, 3 a planting of the Lord 3 for the display of his splendor.
4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins 4 and restore the places long devastated; 4 they will renew the ruined cities 4 that have been devastated for generations.
5 Aliens will shepherd your flocks; 5 foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6 And you will be called priests of the Lord, 6 you will be named ministers of our God. 6 You will feed on the wealth of nations, 6 and in their riches you will boast.
7 Instead of their shame 7 my people will receive a double portion, 7 and instead of disgrace 7 they will rejoice in their inheritance; 7 and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, 7 and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8 "For I, the Lord, love justice; 8 I hate robbery and iniquity. 8 In my faithfulness I will reward them 8 and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be known among the nations 9 and their offspring among the peoples. 9 All who see them will acknowledge 9 that they are a people the Lord has blessed."
10 I delight greatly in the Lord; 10 my soul rejoices in my God. 10 For he has clothed me with garments of salvation 10 and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, 10 as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, 10 and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up 11 and a garden causes seeds to grow, 11 so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise 11 spring up before all nations.
