1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the Lord has annointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclain freedom for the captives and release from darkness the blind, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who greive in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.