Isaiah 61:3-9

Common English Bible

³    to provide for Zion’s mourners,
    to give them a crown in place of ashes,
    oil of joy in place of mourning,
    a mantle of praise in place of discouragement.
They will be called Oaks of Righteousness,
    planted by the Lord to glorify himself.
⁴They will rebuild the ancient ruins;
    they will restore formerly deserted places;
    they will renew ruined cities,
    places deserted in generations past.

⁵Foreigners will stay and shepherd your sheep,
    and strangers will be your farmers and vinedressers.
⁶You will be called The Priests of the Lord;
    Ministers of Our God, they will say about you.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and fatten^[a] yourself on their riches.
⁷Instead of shame, their^[b] portion will be double;
    instead of disgrace, they will rejoice over their share.
They will possess a double portion in their land;
    everlasting joy will be theirs.
⁸I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and dishonesty.^[c]
I will faithfully give them their wage,
    and make with them an enduring covenant.
⁹Their offspring will be known among the nations,
    and their descendants among the peoples.
All who see them will recognize
    that they are a people blessed by the Lord.