Isaiah 61 ASV
Summary: The speaker (the Servant/prophetic figure) declares the Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon him, anointing him to preach good tidings to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to captives, and announce "the acceptable year of the LORD" and the day of vengeance, comforting mourners with beauty for ashes, joy for mourning, and praise for heaviness (v. 1-3) — words Jesus later reads in the synagogue at Nazareth in the New Testament. Those comforted are called "trees of righteousness," and they will rebuild ancient ruins, while strangers will feed their flocks and foreigners work their fields, freeing Israel to serve as priests and ministers of God, enjoying the wealth of nations and everlasting joy instead of former shame. The LORD affirms He loves justice and hates robbery through a burnt offering, promising to faithfully reward His people's work and make an everlasting covenant with them, their descendants known among the nations as blessed. The chapter closes with the speaker rejoicing greatly in the LORD, clothed with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness, like a bridegroom and bride adorned, and righteousness and praise springing forth before all nations.
1The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon me; because Jehovah hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified.
4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers.
6But ye shall be named the priests of Jehovah; men shall call you the ministers of our God: ye shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
7Instead of your shame ye shall have double; and instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be unto them.
8For I, Jehovah, love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
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