God's New Bible

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah

Unlocked Dynamic Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 52 -

1
You people who live in the holy city of Jerusalem, wake up! Be strong again! Show that your city is beautiful and glorious; uncircumcised foreigners, those who do not honor Yahweh, will never again enter your city to attack you.
2
People of Jerusalem, get up from where you have been sitting in the dust, and sit down properly! You people who have returned from being exiled, take off from your neck the chains that the Babylonians fastened around your necks,
3
because this is what Yahweh says: “When you were sent as captives to Babylonia, no one paid to make that happen. So now you will be brought back, and no money will be paid to anyone for your release.”
4
Yahweh our Lord also says this: “Long ago, my people went to Egypt to live there. Later the soldiers of Assyria oppressed them.
5
But now think about what is happening: My people are being forced to be slaves again, this time by the people of Babylonia. They have taken my people away, but they never declared any just reason for taking them captive. And the rulers of Babylon boast and make fun of them (as I, Yahweh, have said they would do), and the other people groups in the world despise the mention of my name.
6
But after that, my people will love me and honor me; when that happens, they will know that I am the one who said that this would happen. I am the one who speaks, and I say, ‘Yes, this is Yahweh who is speaking to you.’
7
It is a wonderful thing when messengers come from across the mountains and bring good news, the news about God giving us peace and saving us, the news that the God to whom we Israelite people belong is now showing everyone his power as king!
8
The watchmen who are guarding the city will shout and sing joyfully, because while they are watching, they will all see Yahweh returning to Jerusalem.
9
Jerusalem was ruined, but the people who are there now should start to sing joyfully, because Yahweh will encourage his people; he will set his people free and bring them back to Jerusalem.
10
Yahweh will show all the nations that he is holy and powerful. People in the most remote places on earth will know that he has rescued his people.
11
So leave the places where you were taken to when you were captured, where everything is unacceptable to God. You men who are carrying the items used in the temple of Yahweh, leave there and return to Jerusalem, and purify yourselves in order to be acceptable to worship God.
12
But it will not be necessary for you to leave suddenly, to flee in panic, because Yahweh will go in front of you; and he will also protect you from being attacked at the rear while you travel.

The Servant Exalted

(Philippians 2:5–11)
13
Listen carefully! My servant will act wisely and do all that Yahweh wants him to do, and he will be honored more than anyone else.
14
But many people will be appalled when they see what has happened to him. Because he was beaten very badly, his appearance will be changed; people will hardly recognize that he is a human.
15
But he will purify the people of many nations by sprinkling them clean; even kings will be silent when they stand in front of him, because they will see someone that no one had told them about before, and they will understand things that they had not heard about before.
1
Awake, awake! Put on your strength, Zion. Put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city, for from now on the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you.
2
Shake yourself from the dust! Arise, sit up, Jerusalem! Release yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion!
3
For the LORD says, “You were sold for nothing; and you will be redeemed without money.”
4
For the Lord GOD says:My people went down at the first into Egypt to live there; and the Assyrian has oppressed them without cause.
5
Now therefore, what do I do here,” says the LORD,seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them mock,” says the LORD,and my name is blasphemed continually all day long.
6
Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who speaks. Behold, it is I.”
7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
8
Your watchmen lift up their voice. Together they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the LORD returns to Zion.
9
Break out into joy! Sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem.
10
The LORD has made his holy arm bare in the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
11
Depart! Depart! Go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Go out from among her! Cleanse yourselves, you who carry the LORD’s vessels.
12
For you shall not go out in haste, neither shall you go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

The Servant Exalted

(Philippians 2:5–11)
13
Behold, my servant will deal wisely. He will be exalted and lifted up, and will be very high.
14
Just as many were astonished at you his appearance was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men
15
so he will cleanse(a) many nations. Kings will shut their mouths at him; for they will see that which had not been told them, and they will understand that which they had not heard.

Footnotes

(a)52:15 or, sprinkle