Isaiah 61:1

61 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]2 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)3     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)

4 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.5 Strangers(T) will shepherd your flocks;    foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.6 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.

7 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.

8 “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.9 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)

10 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.11 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.