The Year of the LORD's Favour

1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,

because the LORD has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;61:1 Or afflicted

he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;61:1 Or the opening [of the eyes] to those who are blind; Septuagint and recovery of sight to the blind

2to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

3to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.61:3 Or that he may display his beauty

4They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

5Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;

foreigners shall be your ploughmen and vine dressers;

6but you shall be called the priests of the LORD;

they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;

you shall eat the wealth of the nations,

and in their glory you shall boast.

7Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;

instead of dishonour they shall rejoice in their lot;

therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;

they shall have everlasting joy.

8For I the LORD love justice;

I hate robbery and wrong;61:8 Or robbery with a burnt offering

I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9Their offspring shall be known among the nations,

and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;

all who see them shall acknowledge them,

that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.

10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD;

my soul shall exult in my God,

for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,

so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise

to sprout up before all the nations.