Isaiah 60:21

60:21 All of your people will be godly; ¹ 

they will possess the land permanently.

I will plant them like a shoot;

they will be the product of my labor,

through whom I reveal my splendor. ² 

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 

[60:21]  ¹ tn Or “righteous” (NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “just.”

[60:21]  ² tn Heb “a shoot of his planting, the work of my hands, to reveal splendor.”

[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.”