Isaiah 52

1 Awake, awake [rise up, be stirred], clothe yourself with strength [put on your might, be empowered], O Zion [the city of God, the holy mountain]! Put on your garments of splendor [beautiful robes, glorious attire], O Jerusalem [the city of peace, the holy city], holy city [the city set apart for God]! For the uncircumcised [those who are unclean, without covenant] and unclean [those who are impure, defiled] will no longer [not again, from now on] enter you. word study 2 Shake off [from the dust, free yourself] your dust! Rise up [stand, take your position] and sit [dwell, remain] on your throne, O Jerusalem [the city of peace]. Remove [loose, untie] the chains [bonds, restraints] from your neck, O captive [exiled, imprisoned] Daughter [a female child, a woman of Zion] of Zion [the mountain, the city of God]. word study 3 For [because of this reason] this is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “You were sold [given over, handed over] for nothing [without cost, in vain], and without [not with] money [silver, payment] you will be redeemed [bought back, freed].” word study 4 For this is what the Lord [Adonay, Master] GOD [Yehovah] says: “At first [in the beginning, from the start] My people [Amaw, the nation of Israel] went down [descended, migrated] to Egypt [a country in northeastern Africa] to live [sojourn, reside temporarily], then Assyria [Asshur, a powerful nation] oppressed [tyrannized, exploited] them without cause [for no reason, unjustly]. word study 5 And now [at this moment, in this situation] what have I here [in My presence, among My people]? declares the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]. For My people [Amaw, a nation or community] have been taken [captured, seized] without cause [for nothing, without reason]; those who rule [have power over, govern] them taunt [mock, scorn], declares the LORD, and My name [fame, renown, reputation] is blasphemed [spurned, despised] continually [constantly, every day] all day long [throughout each day]. word study 6 Therefore [for this reason, on this account] My people [nation, those who belong to Me] will know [be certain, understand] My name [My identity, character, and reputation]; therefore [on that account, for this cause] they will know [recognize, acknowledge] on that day [at that time, in the future] that I am [exist, am present] He [the One, the Lord] who speaks [communicates, declares]. Here [behold, look] I am [am present, exist]!” word study 7 How beautiful [wonderful, lovely] on the mountains [hills] are the feet [steps, pathways] of those who bring [proclaim, publish] good news [glad tidings, gospel], who proclaim [declare, announce] peace [completeness, wellness, friendship], who bring [bear, tell] good tidings [pleasant, beneficial news], who proclaim salvation [deliverance, victory], who say [speak, declare] to Zion [God’s holy city], “Your God [Elohim, the supreme Ruler] reigns [rules, has dominion]!” word study 8 Listen! Your watchmen [guardians, observers] lift up their voices [sounds of joy], together [in unity, as one] they shout [sing, cry aloud] for joy. For every eye [all people, every individual] will see [behold, look upon] when the LORD [Yehovah, the divine Savior] returns [comes back, turns back] to Zion [the city of God, Jerusalem]. word study 9 Break forth [in joyful sound, with triumphant shouting] in joy, sing together [in unitedness, with one voice], O ruins [desolate places, waste areas] of Jerusalem, for the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] has comforted [shown pity, consoled] His people; He has redeemed [bought back, set free] Jerusalem. word study 10 The LORD [Yehovah, the covenant God] has bared [uncovered, revealed] His holy [set apart, sacred] arm [the arm as stretched out; strength, might, power] in the sight [before the eyes] of all [every single one] the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples]; all [every end, the farthest reaches] the ends [borders, extremities] of the earth [land, world] will see [behold, perceive] the salvation [deliverance, victory] of our God [Elohim, the supreme God]. word study 11 Depart [leave, go out], depart [turn aside], go out from there [that place, thence]! Touch [reach, strike] no unclean [spiritually impure, defiled] thing; come out [go out, depart] from it [the midst of her], purify [cleanse, make holy] yourselves [your inner being, your heart], you who carry [lift, bear] the vessels [articles, utensils] of the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God]. word study 12 For you will not leave [in a tumult, suddenly] in a hurry [with haste, in flight] nor flee [in panic, by flight] in haste [with urgency], for the LORD [Yehovah, the self-existent God] goes before you [to lead, to guide], and the God [Elohim, the supreme Ruler] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob, the chosen people] is your rear guard [to protect, to gather]. word study 13 Behold [look, see], My Servant [slave, bondservant] will prosper [deal wisely, act prudently]; He will be raised [lifted up, exalted] and lifted up [elevated in position] and highly exalted [extolled, very high]. word study 14 Just as many [a large multitude, a great number] were appalled [horrified, astonished] at Him — His appearance [visage, face] was disfigured [marred, corrupted] beyond that of any man [human being, mortal], and His form [figure, likeness] was marred [disfigured, corrupted] beyond human [mortal, earthly] likeness— word study 15 so He will sprinkle [to ritually cleanse, as a priest] many nations [Gentile peoples, non-Hebrews]. Kings [royal rulers, monarchs] will shut their mouths [lips, be silent] because of Him. For they will see [perceive, behold] what they have not been told [previously informed, recounted], and they will understand [discern, comprehend] what they have not heard [previously listened to, known]. word study