40 1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 40 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare Or: time of service is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
40 3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 40 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 40 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
40 6 A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 40 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people is grass. 40 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand for ever.
40 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; Or: O herald of good tidings to Zion lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, Or: O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!" 40 10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 40 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.