Isaiah

¹ Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight. God's bright glory has risen for you.

² all people sunk in deep darkness, But God rises on you, his sunrise glory breaks over you.

³ kings to your sunburst brightness.

⁴ Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you: Your sons coming from great distances, your daughters carried by their nannies.

⁵ Your heart will swell and, yes, burst! All those people returning by sea for the reunion, a rich harvest of exiles gathered in from the nations!

⁶ young camels of nomads in Midian and Ephah, Pouring in from the south from Sheba, loaded with gold and frankincense, preaching the praises of God.

⁷ of flocks from the nomads in Kedar and Nebaioth, Welcome gifts for worship at my altar as I bathe my glorious Temple in splendor.

⁸ a cloud on the horizon, like doves darkening the sky?

⁹ the famous Tarshish ships Returning your children from faraway places, loaded with riches, with silver and gold, And backed by the name of your God, The Holy of Israel, showering you with splendor.

¹⁰ and their kings assist you in the conduct of worship. When I was angry I hit you hard. It's my desire now to be tender.

¹¹ —open house day and night!— Receiving deliveries of wealth from all nations, and their kings, the delivery boys!

¹² those nations will be totally wasted.

¹³ —all that cypress and oak and pine— To give a splendid elegance to my Sanctuary, as I make my footstool glorious.

¹⁴ will come bowing and scraping to you. All who looked down at you in contempt will lick your boots. They'll confer a title on you: City of God, Zion of The Holy of Israel.

¹⁵ out-of-the-way, unvisited, ignored. But now I've put you on your feet, towering and grand forever, a joy to look at!

¹⁶ and the breasts of royalty, You'll know that I, God, am your Savior, your Redeemer, Champion of Jacob.

¹⁷ Gold instead of bronze, silver instead of iron, bronze instead of wood, iron instead of stones. I'll install Peace to run your country, make Righteousness your boss.

¹⁸ no more robberies, no more vandalism. You'll name your main street Salvation Way, and install Praise Park at the center of town.

¹⁹ nor the brightness of the moon at night. God will be your eternal light, your God will bathe you in splendor.

²⁰ your moon will never fade. I will be your eternal light. Your days of grieving are over.

²¹ in permanent possession of the land. They're the green shoot that I planted, planted with my own hands to display my glory.

²² the weakling become a strong nation. I am God. At the right time I'll make it happen."