Isaiah

Introduction
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CHAPTER 60

The Dawning of Divine Glory for Zion

1^* Arise! Shine, for your light has come,

the glory of the LORD has dawned upon you.^a

2Though darkness covers the earth,

and thick clouds, the peoples,

Upon you the LORD will dawn,

and over you his glory will be seen.

3Nations shall walk by your light,

kings by the radiance of your dawning.^b

The Nations Come to Zion

4Raise your eyes and look about;

they all gather and come to you—

Your sons from afar,

your daughters in the arms of their nurses.^c

5Then you shall see and be radiant,

your heart shall throb and overflow.

For the riches of the sea shall be poured out before you,

the wealth of nations shall come to you.

6Caravans of camels shall cover you,

dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;

All from Sheba shall come

bearing gold and frankincense,

and heralding the praises of the LORD.

7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered for you,

the rams of Nebaioth shall serve your needs;

They will be acceptable offerings on my altar,

and I will glorify my glorious house.

8Who are these that fly along like a cloud,

like doves to their cotes?

9The vessels of the coastlands are gathering,

with the ships of Tarshish in the lead,

To bring your children from afar,

their silver and gold with them—

For the name of the LORD, your God,

for the Holy One of Israel who has glorified you.

Honor and Service for Zion^*

10Foreigners shall rebuild your walls,

their kings shall minister to you;

Though in my wrath I struck you,

yet in my good will I have shown you mercy.^d

11Your gates shall stand open constantly;

day and night they shall not be closed

So that they may bring you the wealth of nations,

with their kings in the vanguard.^e

12For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you shall perish;

such nations shall be utterly destroyed!^f

13The glory of Lebanon shall come to you—

the juniper, the fir, and the cypress all together—

To bring beauty to my sanctuary,

and glory to the place where I stand.^g

14The children of your oppressors shall come,

bowing before you;

All those who despised you,

shall bow low at your feet.

They shall call you “City of the LORD,”

“Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

15No longer forsaken and hated,

with no one passing through,

Now I will make you the pride of the ages,

a joy from generation to generation.

16You shall suck the milk of nations,

and be nursed at royal breasts;

And you shall know that I, the LORD, am your savior,

your redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

17Instead of bronze I will bring gold,

instead of iron I will bring silver;

Instead of wood, bronze;

instead of stones, iron.

I will appoint peace your governor,

and justice your ruler.^h

18No longer shall violence be heard of in your land,

or plunder and ruin within your borders.

You shall call your walls “Salvation”

and your gates “Praise.”

Eternal Light for Zion

19^* No longer shall the sun

be your light by day,

Nor shall the brightness of the moon

give you light by night;

Rather, the LORD will be your light forever,

your God will be your glory.ⁱ

20No longer will your sun set,

or your moon wane;

For the LORD will be your light forever,

and the days of your grieving will be over.

21Your people will all be just;

for all time they will possess the land;

They are the shoot that I planted,

the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.^j

22The least one shall become a clan,

the smallest, a mighty nation;

I, the LORD, will swiftly accomplish

these things when the time comes.^k

* [60:1–9] The light the prophet proclaims to Zion symbolizes the blessing to come to her: the glory of the Lord, the return of her children, the wealth of nations who themselves will walk by her light. The passage is famous from its use in the Latin liturgy for the feast of Epiphany.

* [60:10–18] The glorious promises for the future continue: the wealth of the nations (vv. 5, 10), tribute from kings, glorification of the Temple, peace and justice (cf. Ps 85:11).

* [60:19–20] The theme of light is taken up again, but in an apocalyptic vein: the Lord’s radiant presence replaces physical light.

a. [60:1] Is 40:5; 49:14–26; 51:17–23.

b. [60:3] Is 42:6; 45:14; 49:6.

c. [60:4] Is 49:18.

d. [60:10] Is 54:11–12.

e. [60:11] Rev 21:25.

f. [60:12] Is 61:2.

g. [60:13] Is 35:2; 66:1.

h. [60:17] Ps 85:11.

i. [60:19] Is 2:5; Rev 21:23; 22:5.

j. [60:21] Is 57:13c.

k. [60:22] Gn 12:2; 17:6.