Isaiah 52:1-15

Wake up! Open your eyes! Beautiful Zion, put on your majestic strength! Jerusalem, the sacred city, put on your glory garments! Never again will the unclean enter your gates! Arise and shake off your dust! Sit enthroned, Jerusalem! Break off your shackles of bondage from your neck, you captive daughter of Zion! For this is what YAHWEH has to say: “You were sold for nothing; now you will be redeemed without any payment.” For YAHWEH says: “Long ago, my people went down to Egypt and lived as foreigners there, and for no good reason Assyria oppressed them. And now, what have I here?” says YAHWEH. “Indeed, my people have been taken into bondage without cause while mocking rulers howl; and every day my name is continually despised!” says YAHWEH. “Therefore, my people will know the power of my name, and they will know in that day that I am the one who promised them, saying, ‘Behold, I am here!’ ” What a beautiful sight to behold— the precious feet of the messenger coming over the mountains to announce good news! He comes to refresh us with wonderful news, announcing salvation to Zion and saying, “Your Mighty God reigns!” Listen! The watchmen are shouting in triumph! Lifting their voices together, they are singing for joy! For right before their eyes, they can see YAHWEH returning to Zion! Burst into joyous songs, you rubble of Jerusalem! For YAHWEH has graciously comforted his people; he has become the Kinsman-Redeemer of Jerusalem! YAHWEH has unveiled his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations. To the ends of the earth, everyone everywhere will see the salvation of our God! Go! Go, and leave Babylon behind! Touch nothing unclean as you depart. Keep your life pure as you leave, you who carry the vessels of YAHWEH! You will neither have to leave in haste, nor will you make a frantic escape, for your God, YAHWEH, will go before you. He will lead you each step and be your rear guard. “Look! My servant will prosper and succeed! He will be highly honored, raised up, and greatly exalted! Just as many were appalled at the sight of him (for so marred was his appearance, like an object of horror; he no longer looked like a man), so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked speechless before him. For they will now see a sight unheard of, and things never considered before now fill their thoughts.”