Jerusalem, be strong and great again! Holy city of God, clothe yourself with splendor! The heathen will never enter your gates again.

Shake yourself free, Jerusalem! Rise from the dust and sit on your throne! Undo the chains that bind you, captive people of Zion!

In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.

You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,

for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said, "Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you."

so that you may be innocent and pure as God's perfect children, who live in a world of corrupt and sinful people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

"No longer will the sun be your light by day Or the moon be your light by night; I, the LORD, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you.

Your days of grief will come to an end. I, the LORD, will be your eternal light, More lasting than the sun and moon.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.

The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine."

Our God is merciful and tender. He will cause the bright dawn of salvation to rise on us

and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace."

This was the real light---the light that comes into the world and shines on all people.

This is how the judgment works: the light has come into the world, but people love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness."

I have come into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness.

You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,

The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God shines on it, and the Lamb is its lamp.

There shall be no more night, and they will not need lamps or sunlight, because the Lord God will be their light, and they will rule as kings forever and ever.

But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.

A light to reveal your will to the Gentiles and bring glory to your people Israel."

Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you.