1Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2Speak tenderly
to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double
for all her sins. 3A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare
the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5And
the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6A voice says, "Cry out."
And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory
is like the flowers of the field. 7The grass withers and the flowers
fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God
stands forever." 9You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a
high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with
a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your
God!" 10See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules
for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11He
tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries
them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
New International Version, from Crosswalk.com
Last modified: 12/04/2011