A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Console my people, console them,
says Your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and call to it,
that its time of service is ended,
that its iniquity is atoned for,
that it has received from the hand of God
double punishment for all its sins.
A voice cries out:
Prepare in the wilderness
a way for the Most High God;
make straight in the desert
a highway for Our God!
Let every valley be filled in,
every mountain and hill be laid low;
let every cliff become a plain,
and the ridges a valley.
Then the glory of the Most High God will be revealed,
and all humankind will see it.
The mouth of the Most High has spoken.
Go up on a high mountain,
you who bring good news to Zion.
Shout with a loud voice,
you who bring good news to Jerusalem.
Shout without fear,
and say to the towns of Judah,
“Here is Your God!”
The God of Hosts will come with power,
and rule by a strong arm.
God will bring rewards for the good
and recompense for the bad.
God is like a shepherd feeding the flock,
gathering the lambs and holding them close,
and leading mother ewes with gentleness.

The word of God recorded in the book of the prophet Isaiah.

R: God, let us see Your faithfulness, and give us Your saving help.

I will hear what You, O God, have to say,

a voice that speaks of peace.

Your help is near for those who fear You

and Your glory will dwell in our land.

R: God, let us see Your faithfulness, and give us Your saving help.

Love and faithfulness have met;

justice and peace have embraced.

Faithfulness will spring from the earth

and justice look down from heaven.

R: God, let us see Your faithfulness, and give us Your saving help.

Adonai, You will make us prosper

and our earth will yield its fruit.

Justice will march before You,

and peace will follow Your steps.

R: God, let us see Your faithfulness, and give us Your saving help.