1 The Lord God has put his Spirit in me,because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor.He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken,to tell the captives they are free,and to tell the prisoners they are released.
2 He has sent me to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindnessand the time when our God will punish evil people.He has sent me to comfort all those who are sad
3 and to help the sorrowing people of Jerusalem.I will give them a crown to replace their ashes,and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow,and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness.Then they will be called Trees of Goodness,trees planted by the Lord to show his greatness.
4 They will rebuild the old ruinsand restore the places destroyed long ago.They will repair the ruined citiesthat were destroyed for so long.
5 My people, foreigners will come to tend your sheep.People from other countries will tend your fields and vineyards.
6 You will be called priests of the Lord;you will be named the servants of our God.You will have riches from all the nations on earth,and you will take pride in them.
7 Instead of being ashamed, my people will receive twice as much wealth.Instead of being disgraced, they will be happy because of what they receive.They will receive a double share of the land,so their happiness will continue forever.