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Ah, how beautiful the feet of those on the mountain
    who declare the good news of victory, of peace and liberation,[a]
The voice that calls to Zion, that chosen place for God’s promise people,
    announcing to them “Your God rules!”
Listen! The ones who watch and wait are crying out and laughing for joy:
    Look now, for everyone will see the Eternal One coming back to Zion.
Let the rock and rubble of Jerusalem erupt in joyful song
    for the Eternal has brought comfort to His people and redeemed Jerusalem.
10 The Eternal has flexed His muscles, bared His holy arm
    for the world to see His power;
Every nation, every person, every place on earth
    will witness the victory of our God.

The prophet urges God’s exiled people to leave Babylon, trusting in God and bringing with them the sacred vessels necessary to restore the priestly service of the temple.

11 Servants of God, turn away from that place;
As for those who carry the vessels for the Eternal’s temple,
    go, without touching any of Babylon’s impurity, and make yourselves pure.
12 Go in confidence and grace—no rushing, no frantic escape.
    There’s no need to be anxious—the Eternal One goes before and behind you.
The God of Israel paves the way with assurance and strength.
    He watches your back.

13 Eternal One: See here! My servant will succeed.
        He will grow in character and reputation, achieving high standing and status.
14     Just as people used to be shocked by you,
        even so his appearance was disfigured;
    His form—once glorious—was marred until it hardly seemed human.
15     Now many nations will be astonished at his prominence;
        world rulers will be speechless in his presence,
    For they will see what they’ve never been told;
        they will understand what they’ve never heard.[b]

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How beautiful on the mountains(A)
    are the feet of those who bring good news,(B)
who proclaim peace,(C)
    who bring good tidings,
    who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
    “Your God reigns!”(D)
Listen! Your watchmen(E) lift up their voices;(F)
    together they shout for joy.(G)
When the Lord returns(H) to Zion,(I)
    they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy(J) together,
    you ruins(K) of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted(L) his people,
    he has redeemed Jerusalem.(M)
10 The Lord will lay bare his holy arm(N)
    in the sight of all the nations,(O)
and all the ends of the earth(P) will see
    the salvation(Q) of our God.

11 Depart,(R) depart, go out from there!
    Touch no unclean thing!(S)
Come out from it and be pure,(T)
    you who carry the articles(U) of the Lord’s house.
12 But you will not leave in haste(V)
    or go in flight;
for the Lord will go before you,(W)
    the God of Israel will be your rear guard.(X)

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

13 See, my servant(Y) will act wisely[a];
    he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.(Z)
14 Just as there were many who were appalled(AA) at him[b]
    his appearance was so disfigured(AB) beyond that of any human being
    and his form marred beyond human likeness(AC)
15 so he will sprinkle(AD) many nations,[c]
    and kings(AE) will shut their mouths(AF) because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
    and what they have not heard, they will understand.(AG)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 52:13 Or will prosper
  2. Isaiah 52:14 Hebrew you
  3. Isaiah 52:15 Or so will many nations be amazed at him (see also Septuagint)