Open English Translation ISA Chapter 61

61 My master, Yahweh’s spirit is on me

≈ because Yahweh has chosen me

→ to bring good news to those who are suffering.[ref]

He’s sent me to bandage up the brokenhearted,

to decree freedom for those taken captive,

≈ and to liberate those who are chained up.

2 He’s sent me to proclaim the year of Yahweh’s favour,[ref]

and a day of our god’s vengeance,

and to comfort all those who mourn.

3 It’ll be a time to give Tsiyyon’s mourners a nice turban instead of ashes on their heads,

oil to show joy on their faces instead of mourning,

a cloak of praise instead of a discouraged spirit.

Then they’ll be called ‘oaks of righteousness’ that Yahweh planted to display his splendour.

4 They’ll rebuild the ancient ruins—

≈ restoring the places that had become deserted.

They’ll rebuild the devastated cities,

≈ and places that have been in ruins for generations.

5 Strangers will stand out in your fields and shepherd your flocks,

≈ and sons of foreigners will take care of your farms and vineyards.

6 Then you’ll all be called Yahweh’s priests,

≈ and it’ll be said that you’re servants of our god.

You’ll consume the wealth from the nations

→ and you’ll also boast because there’ll be so much of it.

7 Instead of shame, you’ll all have a double blessing,

and instead of dishonour, they’ll shout happily about their portion,

Yes, they’ll possess a double portion in their land

and they’ll have permanent happiness

8 because I, Yahweh, love justice and hate theft and crime.

Due to my faithfulness, I’ll repay them for what they’ve been through,

and I’ll make a permanent agreement with them.

9 Then their descendants will be known among the nations,

and their offspring among the people groups.

Everyone who sees them will recognise them

because they are the people who Yahweh has blessed.

10 I’m going to really celebrate Yahweh.

≈ My inner being will be glad about my god

because he has dressed me in clothes of a free person.

≈ He’s clothed me with the robe of a person declared innocent[ref]

like the groom puts on a nice turban,

≈ and the bride adorns herself with jewelry.

11 Just as the soil produces growth,

≈ and as the seeds in the garden start to sprout,

so too my master, Yahweh, will make righteousness grow

≈ as well as praise towards all the nations.