Is 40:1-11

1^* Comfort, give comfort to my people,

says your God.

2Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, and proclaim to her

that her service^* has ended,

that her guilt is expiated,

That she has received from the hand of the LORD

double for all her sins.^a

3A voice proclaims:^*

In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD!

Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!^b

4Every valley shall be lifted up,

every mountain and hill made low;

The rugged land shall be a plain,

the rough country, a broad valley.

5Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together;

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

6A voice says, “Proclaim!”

I answer, “What shall I proclaim?”

“All flesh is grass,

and all their loyalty like the flower of the field.^c

7The grass withers, the flower wilts,

when the breath of the LORD blows upon it.”

“Yes, the people is grass!

8The grass withers, the flower wilts,

but the word of our God stands forever.”

9Go up onto a high mountain,

Zion, herald of good news!^*

Cry out at the top of your voice,

Jerusalem, herald of good news!

Cry out, do not fear!

Say to the cities of Judah:

Here is your God!

10Here comes with power

the Lord GOD,

who rules by his strong arm;

Here is his reward with him,

his recompense before him.

11Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;

in his arms he gathers the lambs,

Carrying them in his bosom,

leading the ewes with care.^d