Isaiah Chapter 61

The Year of Yahveh’s Favor

1 The Spirit of the Lord Yahveh is on me;

                              he’s anointed me to bring good news to the downtrodden.

                        He’s sent me to bandage up the brokenhearted,

                              to liberate captives,

                              to free prisoners,

    2 to announce that this is

                                    the year Yahveh shows blessing,

the day he sets things right,

to comfort anyone that’s grieving,

    3 to give to the sad in Zion

                                    a crown in place of ashes,

                                    the oil of happiness instead of mourning,

                                    the mantle of praise rather than a fainting spirit

                              so they’ll be like Terebinths of Goodness

                                    Yahveh has planted to demonstrate his glory.           

Is 61:1-3

                        4 Then they’ll rebuild the ancient ruins,

                              set back up what was torn down,

                              repair destroyed towns deserted for generations.

                        5 Foreigners will pasture your flocks,

                              do your farming, and tend your vineyards.

                        6 But you’ll be Yahveh’s priests;

                                    people will speak of you as his ministers.

                              You’ll feed on the wealth of nations

                                    and take pride in their prosperity.                              

                        7 Instead of humiliation you’ll have a double portion;

                                    rather than dishonor you’ll celebrate over your lot.

                              You’ll have everlasting joy in your land.

                        8 “I, Yahveh, love justice

                                    and despise short-changing in burnt offering;

                              I’ll make an everlasting contract with you

                                    and faithfully pay you for your work.

                        9 Then the nations will honor your offspring worldwide;

                              everyone will recognize you as the offspring Yahveh blessed.” 

Is 61:4-9

                        10 I’m really happy in Yahveh;

                              I celebrate over my God

                                    because he’s dressed me in salvation

                                    and wrapped me in goodness like a robe,

                                          like a groom dresses himself in a garland,

                                          and a bride adorns herself with jewels.

                        11 As the ground produces seeds

                                    and a garden makes sprouts grow,

                              so the Lord Yahveh makes goodness and praise

                                    spring up for all the world to see.                              

Is 61:10-11

From the CYV translation by Virgil Warren, PhD