1Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2Behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness covers the nations; but the LORD shall arise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you. 3Nations shall be drawn to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 4Look around you, and see; all that gather themselves together, they are coming to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried home on your hip. 5Then you shall see, and be radiant, and your heart shall thrill, and swell with joy, because the wealth of the merchants of the sea shall be brought to you, the riches of the nations shall come to you. 6Many caravans of camels shall cover your land, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; and all they from Sheba shall come; bringing gold and incense; and proclaiming the glory and praises of the LORD. 7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve you; they shall be accepted as offerings on My altar, and I will beautify the house of My glory. 8Who are these that fly along like clouds, and like the doves to their nests? 9Surely the islands shall look to Me, and the ships, led by those of Tarshish, to bring your children from afar, bringing their silver and their gold with them, to honor the name of the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, because He has endowed you with splendor. 10Foreigners shall rebuild your walls, and their kings shall serve you. For though in My wrath, I chastened you, I will now bestow mercy upon you by My grace. 11Your gates shall always stand open; they shall not be shut, by day or night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations - and their kings leading the procession.

12For any nation or kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly ruined. 13The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the fir, pine, and cypress trees together, to adorn My sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for My feet. 14The children of those who oppressed you shall also come bowing before you, and all those that despised you shall bow down at your feet; and they shall call you, “The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel”. 15Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one travelled through you, I will make you the everlasting pride and joy of all future generations. 16You shall also drink the milk of the nations, and shall be nourished by kings. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 For I will exchange your bronze for gold, your iron for silver; your wood, for bronze; and for stones, iron; I will also make peace your leader, and righteousness your ruler. 18Violence shall no more be known in your land, nor ruin nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls ‘Salvation’, and your gates ‘Praise’. 19The sun shall no more be your light by day; nor the moon for your light at night; but the LORD shall be your everlasting light; and your God, your glory. 20Your sun shall no more set; nor shall your moon wane; for the LORD shall be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow shall be ended. 21Then all your people shall be righteous; they shall inherit and possess the land forever. They are the branch that I have planted, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. 22The smallest family shall become a thousand, and the tiniest group a mighty nation. At the right time, I, the LORD, will make this happen suddenly.

Isaiah 61