Study Desk

The Spirit^(a) of the Sovereign Lord ^(b) is on me, because the Lord has anointed^(c) me to proclaim good news^(d) to the poor.^(e) He has sent me to bind up^(f) the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom^(g) for the captives^(h) and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]

to proclaim the year of the Lord 's favor⁽ⁱ⁾ and the day of vengeance^(j) of our God, to comfort^(k) all who mourn,^(l)

and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown^(m) of beauty instead of ashes,⁽ⁿ⁾ the oil^(o) of joy instead of mourning,^(p) and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting^(q) of the Lord for the display of his splendor.^(r)

They will rebuild the ancient ruins^(s) and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Strangers^(t) will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests^(u) of the Lord , you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth^(v) of nations, and in their riches you will boast.

Instead of your shame^(w) you will receive a double^(x) portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit^(y) a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy^(z) will be yours.

"For I, the Lord , love justice;^(aa) I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant^(ab) with them.

Their descendants^(ac) will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed."^(ad)

I delight greatly in the Lord ; my soul rejoices^(ae) in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness,^(af) as a bridegroom adorns his head^(ag) like a priest, and as a bride^(ah) adorns herself with her jewels.

For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden^(ai) causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness^(aj) and praise spring up before all nations.