1 ** The Spirit of the Lord God

has taken control of me!

The Lord has chosen and sent me

to tell the oppressed

the good news,

to heal the brokenhearted,

and to announce freedom

for prisoners and captives.

2 * This is the year

when the Lord God

will show kindness to us

and punish our enemies.

The Lord has sent me

to comfort those who mourn,

3 especially in Jerusalem.

He sent me to give them flowers

in place of their sorrow,

olive oil in place of tears,

and joyous praise

in place of broken hearts.

They will be called

"Trees of Justice,"

planted by the Lord

to honor his name.

4 Then they will rebuild cities

that have been in ruins

for many generations.

5 They will hire foreigners

to take care of their sheep

and their vineyards.

6 But they themselves will be

priests and servants

of the Lord our God.

The treasures of the nations

will belong to them,

and they will be famous.*

7 They were terribly insulted

and horribly mistreated;

now they will be greatly blessed

and joyful forever.

8 I, the Lord, love justice!

But I hate robbery

and injustice.*

My people, I solemnly promise

to reward you

with an eternal agreement.

9 Your descendants will be known

in every nation.

All who see them will realize

that they have been blessed,

by me, the Lord.

10 * I celebrate and shout

because of my Lord God.

His saving power and justice

are the very clothes I wear.

They are more beautiful

than the jewelry worn

by a bride or groom.

11 The Lord will bring about

justice and praise

in every nation on earth,

like flowers blooming

in a garden.