Isaiah 61:1–5

The Lord’s Servant Accomplishes His Work

61The Spirit of the Lord and King is on me.

The Lord has anointed me

to tell the good news to poor people.

He has sent me to comfort

those whose hearts have been broken.

He has sent me to announce freedom

for those who have been captured.

He wants me to set prisoners free

from their dark prisons.

²He has sent me to announce the year

when he will set his people free.

He wants me to announce the day

when he will pay his enemies back.

Our God has sent me to comfort all those who are sad.

³He wants me to help those in Zion who are filled with sorrow.

I will put beautiful crowns on their heads

in place of ashes.

I will anoint them with oil to give them gladness

instead of sorrow.

I will give them a spirit of praise

in place of a spirit of sadness.

They will be like oak trees that are strong and straight.

The Lord himself will plant them in the land.

That will show how glorious he is.

⁴They will rebuild the places that were destroyed long ago.

They will repair the buildings that have been broken down for many years.

They will make the destroyed cities like new again.

They have been broken down for a very long time.

⁵Outsiders will serve you by taking care of your flocks.

People from other lands will work in your fields and vineyards.