Isaiah 40:1-8

Your God says to you: “Comfort, comfort my people with gentle, compassionate words. Speak tenderly from the heart to revive those in Jerusalem, and proclaim that their warfare is over. Her debt of sin is paid for, and she will not be treated as guilty. Prophesy to her that she has received from the hand of YAHWEH twice as many blessings as all her sins.” A thunderous voice cries out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way for YAHWEH’s arrival! Make a highway straight through the desert for our God! Every valley will be raised up, every mountain brought low. The rugged terrain will become level ground and the rough places a plain. Then YAHWEH’s radiant glory will be unveiled, and all humanity will experience it together. Believe it, for YAHWEH has spoken his decree!” A voice says, “Cry out!” And I ask, “What should I say?” “All people are as frail as grass, and their elegance is like a wilting wildflower. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of YAHWEH blows upon it; the people are just like grass! But even though grass withers and the flower fades, the word of our God stands strong forever!”