1 Our God has said:“Encourage my people!Give them comfort.
2 Speak kindly to Jerusalemand announce:Your slavery is past;your punishment is over.I, the Lord, made you paydouble for your sins.”
3 Someone is shouting:“Clear a path in the desert!Make a straight roadfor the Lord our God.
4 Fill in the valleys;flatten every hilland mountain.Level the roughand rugged ground.
5 Then the glory of the Lordwill appear for all to see.The Lord has promised this!”