Comfort for God’s People
1 fComfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare1 is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
“In the wilderness hprepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
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.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be irevealed,
and jall flesh shall see it together,
kfor the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The Word of God Stands Forever
6 A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said,3 “What shall I cry?”
lAll flesh is grass,
and all its beauty4 is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Comfort for God’s People
1 fComfort, comfort my people, says your God.
The Ministry of Apostles
1 This is how one should regard us, as qservants of Christ and rstewards of the smysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For tI am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore udo not pronounce vjudgment before the time, before the Lord wcomes, who will xbring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will ydisclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
2 Now when John heard in cprison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you dthe one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John ewhat you hear and see: 5 fthe blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers1 are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and gthe poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out hinto the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man2 dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A iprophet?3 Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written,
j“‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
