Speak Comfort and Prepare the Way

The prophet Isaiah gave this message:

"Comfort, comfort My people," says your God. "Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor is over; that her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the Lord God's hand double for all her sins."

A voice calls: "Prepare the way for the Lord God in the wilderness; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord God will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord God has spoken."

A voice said, "Cry out!" 

And I asked, "What should I cry out?" 

"All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the Lord God blows on them; indeed, the people are like grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, messenger of the good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, messenger of the good news. Raise your voice, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Lord God comes with might, and He rules with a mighty arm. His reward is with Him, and His repayment is with Him. He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. And He gently leads the nursing ewes.

(See Isaiah 40:1-11 )

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