Isaiah 40:1–11

God’s People Comforted

40 “Comfort, comfort My people,” m

says your God.

2 “Speak tenderly to n Jerusalem,

and announce to her

that her time of forced labor is over,

her iniquity o has been pardoned, p

and she has received from the Lord’s hand

double for all her sins.” q

3 A voice of one crying out:

Prepare the way of the Lord in the wilderness; r

make a straight highway for our God in the desert. s

4 Every valley will be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill will be leveled;

the uneven ground will become smooth

and the rough places, a plain. t

5 And the glory of the Lord will appear, u

and all humanity v together will see it, w

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. x

6 A voice was saying, “Cry out!”

Another y said, “What should I cry out?”

“All humanity is grass, z

and all its goodness is like the flower of the field. a

7 The grass withers, the flowers fade

when the breath b of the Lord blows on them; c

indeed, the people are grass.

8 The grass withers, the flowers fade, d

but the word of our God remains forever.” e

9 * Zion, herald of good news,

go up on a high mountain. f

Jerusalem, herald of good news, g

raise your voice loudly.

Raise it, do not be afraid!

Say to the cities of Judah,

“Here is your God!” h

10 See, the Lord God comes with strength,

and His power establishes His rule. i

His reward is with Him, j

and His gifts accompany Him.

11 He protects His flock like a shepherd; k

He gathers the lambs in His arms

and carries them in the fold of His garment.

He gently leads those that are nursing.