SELECTION 32
THE GREAT MISSION
THE Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them a garland for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
YEA, saith the Lord, It is too light a thing that thou shouldest be my servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved of Israel:
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I answered thee, and in a day of salvation, have I helped thee;
And I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people,
Saying to them that are bound, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves.
They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them:
For he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them.
Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains:
For the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have compassion upon his afflicted.
