[1] Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again. [2] Shake yourself free, Jerusalem! Rise from the dust and sit on your throne! Undo the chains that bind you, captive people of Zion! [3] The Sovereign LORD says to his people, "When you became slaves, no money was paid for you; in the same way nothing will be paid to set you free. [4] When you went to live in Egypt as foreigners, you did so of your own free will; Assyria, however, took you away by force and paid nothing for you. [5] And now in Babylonia the same thing has happened: you are captives, and nothing was paid for you. Those who rule over you boast and brag and constantly show contempt for me. [6] In time to come you will acknowledge that I am God and that I have spoken to you." [7] How wonderful it is to see a messenger coming across the mountains, bringing good news, the news of peace! He announces victory and says to Zion, "Your God is king!" [8] Those who guard the city are shouting, shouting together for joy. They can see with their own eyes the return of the LORD to Zion. [9] Break into shouts of joy, you ruins of Jerusalem! The LORD will rescue his city and comfort his people. [10] The LORD will use his holy power; he will save his people, and all the world will see it. [11] Be sure to leave Babylonia, all you that carry the Temple equipment. Touch no forbidden thing; keep yourselves holy and leave. [12] This time you will not have to leave in a hurry; you will not be trying to escape. The LORD your God will lead you and protect you on every side. [13] The LORD says, "My servant will succeed in his task; he will be highly honored. [14] Many people were shocked when they saw him; he was so disfigured that he hardly looked human. [15] But now many nations will marvel at him, and kings will be speechless with amazement. They will see and understand something they had never known."
