Isaiah 60:20

60:20 Your sun will no longer set;

your moon will not disappear; ¹ 

the Lord will be your permanent source of light;

your time ²  of sorrow will be over.

Isaiah 61:3

61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,

by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,

oil symbolizing joy, ³  instead of mourning,

a garment symbolizing praise, ⁴  instead of discouragement. ⁵ 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, ⁶ 

trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor. ⁷ 

[60:20]  ¹ sn In this verse “sun” and “moon” refer to the Lord’s light, which will replace the sun and moon (see v. 19). Light here symbolizes the restoration of divine blessing and prosperity in conjunction with the Lord’s presence. See 30:26.

[60:20]  ² tn Heb “days” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[61:3]  ³ tn Heb “oil of joy” (KJV, ASV); NASB, NIV, NRSV “the oil of gladness.”

[61:3]  ⁴ tn Heb “garment of praise.”

[61:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “a faint spirit” (so NRSV); KJV, ASV “the spirit of heaviness”; NASB “a spirit of fainting.”

[61:3]  ⁶ tn Rather than referring to the character of the people, צֶדֶק (tsedeq) may carry the nuance “vindication” here, suggesting that God’s restored people are a testimony to his justice. See v. 2, which alludes to the fact that God will take vengeance against the enemies of his people. Cf. NAB “oaks of justice.”

[61:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “a planting of the Lord to reveal splendor.”