The Year of the Lord's Favor
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1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has 2anointed me to bring good news to the poor;a he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and 3the opening of the prison to those who are bound;b
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4to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, 5and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
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to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- 6to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, 7the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; 8that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, 9that he may be glorified.c
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10They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.
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12but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; 13you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast.
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14Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy.
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15For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong;d 16I will faithfully give them their recompense, 17and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
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Their offspring shall be known among the nations, and their descendants in the midst of the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are an offspring the LORD has blessed.
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18I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, 19for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself 20like a priest with a beautiful headdress, 21and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
(English Standard Version - The Holy Bible Online)