1 The Spirit of the Almighty Lord is with me

because the Lord has anointed me

to deliver good news to humble people.

He has sent me

to heal those who are brokenhearted,

to announce that captives will be set free

and prisoners will be released.

2  ⌞He has sent me⌟

to announce the year of the Lord’s good will

and the day of our God’s vengeance,

to comfort all those who grieve.

3  ⌞He has sent me⌟

to provide for all those who grieve in Zion,

to give them crowns instead of ashes,

the oil of joy instead of ⌞tears of⌟ grief,

and clothes of praise instead of a spirit of weakness.

They will be called Oaks of Righteousness,

the Plantings of the Lord,

so that he might display his glory.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins.

They will restore the places destroyed long ago.

They will renew the ruined cities, the places destroyed generations ago.

5 Foreigners will come forward and become shepherds for your flocks,

and children of foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

6 You will be called the priests of the Lord.

You will be called the servants of our God.

You will consume the wealth of the nations.

You will boast in their splendor.

7 You will receive a double measure of wealth instead of your shame.

You will sing about your wealth instead of being disgraced.

That is why you will have a double measure of wealth in your land.

You will have everlasting joy.

8 I, the Lord, love justice.

I hate robbery and wrongdoing.

I will faithfully reward my people’s work.

I will make an everlasting promise * Or “covenant.” to them.

9 Then their offspring will be known among the nations

and their descendants among the people.

Everyone who sees them will recognize

that they are the descendants whom the Lord has blessed.

10 I will find joy in the Lord.

I will delight in my God.

He has dressed me in the clothes of salvation.

He has wrapped me in the robe of righteousness

like a bridegroom with a priest’s turban,

like a bride with her jewels.

11 Like the ground that brings forth its crops

and like a garden that makes the seed in it grow,

so the Almighty Lord will make righteousness and praise

spring up in front of all nations.