^v“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

^w‘Prepare the way of the Lord,¹

make his paths straight.

5  ^xEvery valley shall be filled,

^yand every mountain and hill shall be made low,

^zand the crooked shall become straight,

and the rough places shall become level ways,

6  ^aand all flesh shall see ^bthe salvation of God.’”

18  ^y“The Spirit of the Lord ^zis upon me,

because he has anointed me

to ^aproclaim good news to the poor.

^bHe has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and ^crecovering of sight to the blind,

^dto set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19  ^eto proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”