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He has sent me to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness
    and the time when our God will punish evil people.
He has sent me to comfort all those who are sad
and to help the sorrowing people of Jerusalem.
I will give them a crown to replace their ashes,
    and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow,
    and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness.
Then they will be called Trees of Goodness,
    trees planted by the Lord to show his greatness.

They will rebuild the old ruins
    and restore the places destroyed long ago.
They will repair the ruined cities
    that were destroyed for so long.

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to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor(A)
    and the day of vengeance(B) of our God,
to comfort(C) all who mourn,(D)
    and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown(E) of beauty
    instead of ashes,(F)
the oil(G) of joy
    instead of mourning,(H)
and a garment of praise
    instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
    a planting(I) of the Lord
    for the display of his splendor.(J)

They will rebuild the ancient ruins(K)
    and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
    that have been devastated for generations.

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