Variety: Isaiah 40:1-11

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh’s hand double for all her sins.”

3 The voice of one who calls out,
    “Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness!
    Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The uneven shall be made level,
    and the rough places a plain.
5 Yahweh’s glory shall be revealed,
    and all flesh shall see it together;
    for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.”

6 The voice of one saying, “Cry!”
    One said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is like grass,
    and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers,
    the flower fades,
    because Yahweh’s breath blows on it.
    Surely the people are like grass.
8 The grass withers,
    the flower fades;
    but the word of our God stands forever.”

9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
    You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength!
    Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!
    Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!”
10 Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one,
    and his arm will rule for him.
    Behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
    He will gather the lambs in his arm,
    and carry them in his bosom.
    He will gently lead those who have their young.