61:1 The spirit of the sovereign Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has chosen 1 me. 2
He has commissioned 3 me to encourage 4 the poor,
to help 5 the brokenhearted,
to decree the release of captives,
and the freeing of prisoners,
61:2 to announce the year when the Lord will show his favor,
the day when our God will seek vengeance, 6
to console all who mourn,
61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, 7 instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, 8 instead of discouragement. 9
They will be called oaks of righteousness, 10
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor. 11
61:4 They will rebuild the perpetual ruins
and restore the places that were desolate; 12
they will reestablish the ruined cities,
the places that have been desolate since ancient times.