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 declare the year of Yahweh’s favour,[ref]

and a day of our god’s vengeance,

and to comfort all those who mourn.[ref]

3 It’ll be a time to give Tsiyon’s (Zion’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

like the groom puts on a nice turban,

≈ and the bride adorns herself with jewelry.[ref]

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.