Isaiah 61:3 - Easy To Read Version God sent me to the sad people of Zion. \{I will get them ready for the celebration.\} I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. God sent me to name those people ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’ Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit–that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. American Standard Version (1901) to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of Jehovah, that he may be glorified. Common English Bible to provide for Zion’s mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the LORD to glorify himself. Catholic Public Domain Version to take up the mourners of Zion and to give them a crown in place of ashes, an oil of joy in place of mourning, a cloak of praise in place of a spirit of grief. And there, they shall be called the strong ones of justice, the planting of the Lord, unto glorification. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version To appoint to the mourners of Sion: and to give them a crown for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of grief. And they shall be called in it the mighty ones of justice, the planting of the Lord to glorify him. |
Mordecai left the king. Mordecai was wearing special clothes from the king. His clothes were blue and white, and he had on a large gold crown. He also had a purple robe made of the best linen. {\cf2\super [27]} There was a special celebration in Susa. The people were very happy.
The Jews were to celebrate those days because on those days the Jews got rid of their enemies. And they were also to celebrate that month as the month when their sadness was turned into joy. And it was a month when their crying was changed into a day of celebration. Mordecai wrote letters to all the Jews. He told them to celebrate those days as a happy holiday. They should have parties and give gifts to each other and give presents to poor people.
God gives us\par the wine that makes us happy,\par the oil that makes our skin soft, {\cf2\super [544]} \par and the food that makes us strong.\par
The Lord is happy with his people.\par God did a wonderful thing for his humble people.\par He saved them!\par
Lord, you prepared my table\par in front of my enemies.\par You poured oil on my head. {\cf2\super [142]} \par My cup is full and spilling over.\par
\{I prayed and you helped me!\}\par You changed my crying into dancing.\par You took away my clothes of sadness.\par And you wrapped me in happiness.\par
Lord, my God, I will praise you forever,\par so there will never be silence,\par and there will always be someone\par singing songs to honor you.\par
You love goodness and you hate evil.\par So God, your God, chose you to be king\par over your friends. {\cf2\super [275]} \par
At that time, you will say:\par “I praise you Lord!\par You have been angry at me.\par But don’t be angry with me now!\par Show your love to me.”\par
Open the gates\par and the good people will enter.\par Those people obey God’s good teachings.\par
The skies are happy because the Lord did great things.\par The earth is happy, even deep down under the earth!\par The mountains sing with thanks to God.\par All the trees in the forest are happy!\par Why? Because the Lord saved Jacob.\par The Lord did great things for Israel.\par
I will do good things! Soon, I will save \{my people\}. I will bring salvation to Zion and to my wonderful Israel.”
Wake up! Wake up Zion! {\cf2\super [420]} \par Dress yourself!\par Put on your strength!\par Holy Jerusalem, stand up!\par People that have not agreed\par to follow God {\cf2\super [421]} \par will not enter you again.\par Those people are not pure and clean.\par
“The Lord makes me very, very happy.\par My whole self is happy in my God.\par The Lord put the clothes of salvation on me.\par These clothes are like the nice clothes\par a man wears at his wedding.\par The Lord put the coat of goodness on me.\par This coat is like the beautiful clothes\par a woman wears at her wedding.\par
Then the young women of Israel\par will be happy and dance.\par And the young men and old men\par will join in the dancing.\par I will change their sadness into happiness.\par I will comfort the people of Israel.\par I will change their sadness to happiness.\par
I will give them some land that will make a good garden. Then they won’t suffer from hunger in that land. They won’t suffer the insults from the nations any more.
As I walked back along the side of the river, I saw very many trees on both sides of the water.
Then I said, “Put a clean turban {\cf2\super [4]} on his head.” So they put the clean turban on him. They also put clean clothes on him while the Lord’s angel stood there.
Jesus answered, “Every plant that my Father in heaven has not planted himself will be pulled up by the roots.
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that people will see the good things you do. Live so that people will praise your Father in heaven.
But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and dress him. Also, put a ring on his finger and good shoes on his feet.
You should make much fruit and show that you are my followers. This brings glory to my Father.
I tell you the truth. You will cry and be sad, but the world will be happy. You will be sad, but your sadness will change to happiness.
We are workers together for God. And you are like a farm that belongs to God.
You were bought \{by God\} at a price. So honor God with your bodies.
that you will do many good things\par with the help of Christ\par to bring glory and praise to God.\par
This will happen on the day when the Lord \{Jesus\} comes. Jesus will come to receive glory with his holy people. {\cf2\super [2]} And all the people who have believed will be amazed at Jesus. You will be in that group of believers, because you believed the things we told you.
You love the right,\par and you hate the wrong.\par So God, your God, has given you\par a greater joy than he gave the people with you.”\par \i (Psalm 45:6-7)\i0 \par
But you are chosen people. You are the King’s priests. You are a holy {\cf2\super [20]} nation of people. You are people who belong to God. God chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He called (brought) you out of darkness (sin) into his wonderful light.
When people say bad things to you because you follow Christ, then you are blessed (happy). You are blessed because the Spirit {\cf2\super [28]} of glory is with you. That is the Spirit of God.