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.

"I, the LORD, have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth. Through you I will make a covenant with all peoples; through you I will bring light to the nations.

You will open the eyes of the blind and set free those who sit in dark prisons.

The LORD said to me, "I have a greater task for you, my servant. Not only will you restore to greatness the people of Israel who have survived, but I will also make you a light to the nations--- so that all the world may be saved."

Arise, Jerusalem, and shine like the sun; The glory of the LORD is shining on you!

Nations will be drawn to your light, And kings to the dawning of your new day.

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."

For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, so that all the world may be saved.' "

When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the Lord's message; and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers.

And Paul concluded: "You are to know, then, that God's message of salvation has been sent to the Gentiles. They will listen!"

For I tell you that Christ's life of service was on behalf of the Jews, to show that God is faithful, to make his promises to their ancestors come true,

and to enable even the Gentiles to praise God for his mercy. As the scripture says, "And so I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to you."

Surely he is ready to save those who honor him, and his saving presence will remain in our land.

The time is coming when the LORD will make every plant and tree in the land grow large and beautiful. All the people of Israel who survive will take delight and pride in the crops that the land produces.

I, the LORD, will rescue all the descendants of Jacob, and they will give me praise.

"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.

No other nation has ever changed its gods, even though they were not real. But my people have exchanged me, the God who has brought them honor, for gods that can do nothing for them.

The LORD has promised that he himself will be a wall of fire around the city to protect it and that he will live there in all his glory."

So then, as the scripture says, "Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done."

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.