17 In a very short time,(A) will not Lebanon(B) be turned into a fertile field(C)
    and the fertile field seem like a forest?(D)
18 In that day(E) the deaf(F) will hear the words of the scroll,
    and out of gloom and darkness(G)
    the eyes of the blind will see.(H)
19 Once more the humble(I) will rejoice in the Lord;
    the needy(J) will rejoice in the Holy One(K) of Israel.

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17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

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Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees(A) that give way;
say(B) to those with fearful hearts,(C)
    “Be strong, do not fear;(D)
your God will come,(E)
    he will come with vengeance;(F)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save(G) you.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened(H)
    and the ears of the deaf(I) unstopped.
Then will the lame(J) leap like a deer,(K)
    and the mute tongue(L) shout for joy.(M)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams(N) in the desert.

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Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

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The Year of the Lord’s Favor

61 The Spirit(A) of the Sovereign Lord(B) is on me,
    because the Lord has anointed(C) me
    to proclaim good news(D) to the poor.(E)
He has sent me to bind up(F) the brokenhearted,
    to proclaim freedom(G) for the captives(H)
    and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor(I)
    and the day of vengeance(J) of our God,
to comfort(K) all who mourn,(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 61:1 Hebrew; Septuagint the blind

61 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

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See, I will bring them from the land of the north(A)
    and gather(B) them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind(C) and the lame,(D)
    expectant mothers and women in labor;
    a great throng will return.

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Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

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The Lord’s Plan

“In that day,” declares the Lord,

“I will gather the lame;(A)
    I will assemble the exiles(B)
    and those I have brought to grief.(C)
I will make the lame my remnant,(D)
    those driven away a strong nation.(E)
The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion(F)
    from that day and forever.(G)

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In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the Lord shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

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19 At that time I will deal
    with all who oppressed(A) you.
I will rescue the lame;
    I will gather the exiles.(B)
I will give them praise(C) and honor
    in every land where they have suffered shame.

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19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

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