Isaiah 61 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Good News for the Oppressed

Isa 61:1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.[fn]

Isa 61:2

Isa 61:2He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the LORD’s favor has come,[fn]
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

Isa 61:3

Isa 61:3To all who mourn in Israel,[fn]
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

Isa 61:4

Isa 61:4They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations.

Isa 61:5

Isa 61:5Foreigners will be your servants.
They will feed your flocks
and plow your fields
and tend your vineyards.

Isa 61:6

Isa 61:6You will be called priests of the LORD,
ministers of our God.
You will feed on the treasures of the nations
and boast in their riches.

Isa 61:7

Isa 61:7Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.

Isa 61:8

Isa 61:8“For I, the LORD, love justice.
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering
and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isa 61:9

Isa 61:9Their descendants will be recognized
and honored among the nations.
Everyone will realize that they are a people
the LORD has blessed.”

Isa 61:10

Isa 61:10I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit
or a bride with her jewels.

Isa 61:11

Isa 61:11The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world.
Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
with plants springing up everywhere.

See the NLT Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NLT Footnotes

(61:1)

Greek version reads and the blind will see. Compare Luke 4:18.

(61:2)

Or to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

(61:3)

Hebrew in Zion.

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For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.