Side by side
Isaiah 61
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: The Spirit Is on MeVerses 1 to 3
"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor" (61:1).
To anoint means to pour oil on someone to show God has chosen them.
He is sent "to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners" (61:1).
To bind up means to bandage a wound.
He will comfort everyone who mourns. He will give them "a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair" (61:3).
People in grief put ashes on their heads. God will replace the ashes with a crown.
They will be called "oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD" (61:3). Oaks are strong trees with deep roots.
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, 2to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, 3to console the mourners in Zion— to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Section 2: Rebuilding the RuinsVerses 4 to 7
The people will rebuild cities that have been ruined for generations.
Instead of shame, they will receive a double portion. Instead of being humiliated, they will rejoice.
They will be called "the priests of the LORD" (61:6).
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. 5Strangers will stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners will be your plowmen and vinedressers. 6But you will be called the priests of the LORD; they will speak of you as ministers of our God; you will feed on the wealth of nations, and you will boast in their riches. 7Instead of shame, My people will have a double portion, and instead of humiliation, they will rejoice in their share; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
Section 3: God Loves JusticeVerses 8 to 9
"For I, the LORD, love justice" (61:8).
God hates robbery and wrong. He will make an everlasting covenant with his people. A covenant is a promise that binds two sides together.
Everyone will see that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
8For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
Section 4: Clothed in SalvationVerses 10 to 11
Then the speaker sings for joy.
"I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness" (61:10).
To exult means to celebrate with great joy.
It's like a bride and groom dressed for their wedding.
Like seeds growing in a garden, God will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.
10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11For as the earth brings forth its growth, and as a garden enables seed to spring up, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
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