Isaiah 52

1 Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.2 Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit on thy throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bonds of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.3 For thus saith Jehovah, Ye were sold for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.4 For thus saith the Lord Jehovah, My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there: and the Assyrian hath oppressed them without cause.5 Now therefore, what do I here, saith Jehovah, seeing that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them do howl, saith Jehovah, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed.6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak; behold, it is I.7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!8 The voice of thy watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Jehovah returneth to Zion.9 Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for Jehovah hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.10 Jehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of Jehovah.12 For ye shall not go out in haste, neither shall ye go by flight: for Jehovah will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.13 Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high.14 Like as many were astonished at thee (his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men),15 so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand.

ISAIAH 52

Jerusalem Can Celebrate

1  t Jerusalem, wake up!
Stand up and be strong.
Holy city of Zion,
dress in your best clothes.
Those foreigners who ruined
your sacred city
won't bother you again.

2 Zion, rise from the dirt!
Free yourself from the rope
around your neck.

Suffering Will End

3 The [Lord] says:
My people, you were sold,
but not for money;
now you will be set free,
but not for a payment.

4 Long ago you went to Egypt
where you lived
as foreigners.
Then Assyria was cruel to you,

5  t and now another nationt
has taken you prisoner
for no reason at all.
Your leaders groan with pain, t
and day after day
my own name is cursed.

6 My people, you will learn
who I am and who is speaking
because I am here.

A Message of Hope //for Jerusalem

7  t What a beautiful sight!
On the mountains a messenger
announces to Jerusalem,
“Good news! You're saved.
There will be peace.
Your God is now King.”

8 Everyone on guard duty,
sing and celebrate!
Look! You can see the [Lord]
returning to Zion.

9 Jerusalem, rise from the ruins!
Join in the singing.
The [Lord] has given comfort
to his people;
he comes to your rescue.

10 The [Lord] has shown all nations
his mighty strength;
now everyone will see
the saving power of our God.

A Command //To Leave Babylon

11  t Leave the city of Babylon!
Don't touch anything filthy.
Wash yourselves. Be ready
to carry back everything sacred
that belongs to the [Lord].

12 You won't need to run.
No one is chasing you.
The [Lord] God of Israel
will lead and protect you
from enemy attacks.

The Suffering Servant

13 The [Lord] says:
My servant will succeed!
He will be given great praise
and the highest honors.

14 Many were horrified
at what happened to him.t
But everyone who saw him
was even more horrified
because he suffered until
he no longer looked human.t

15  t My servant will make
nations worthy to worship me;t
kings will be silent
as they bow in wonder.t
They will see and think about
things they have never seen
or thought about before.