³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees^(J) that give way;
⁴ say^(K) to those with fearful hearts,^(L)
    “Be strong, do not fear;^(M)
your God will come,^(N)
    he will come with vengeance;^(O)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save^(P) you.”

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened^(Q)
    and the ears of the deaf^(R) unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame^(S) leap like a deer,^(T)
    and the mute tongue^(U) shout for joy.^(V)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams^(W) in the desert.

¹⁰     and those the Lord has rescued^(A) will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;^(B)
    everlasting joy^(C) will crown their heads.
Gladness^(D) and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.^(E)

⁶ He is the Maker of heaven^(A) and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful^(B) forever.
⁷ He upholds^(C) the cause of the oppressed^(D)
    and gives food to the hungry.^(E)
The Lord sets prisoners free,^(F)

⁸     the Lord gives sight^(A) to the blind,^(B)
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,^(C)
    the Lord loves the righteous.^(D)
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner^(E)
    and sustains the fatherless^(F) and the widow,^(G)
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

⁹ The Lord watches over the foreigner^(A)
    and sustains the fatherless^(B) and the widow,^(C)
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

¹⁰ The Lord reigns^(D) forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,^(A)
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news^(B) to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
    and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,^(I)
    who will prepare your way before you.’^[b](J)