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Isaiah 57:15-19

Leader: 15 This is what the high and exalted One says—
  he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 

ALL: “I live in a high and holy place, 
  but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, 
  to revive the spirit of the lowly 
  and to revive the heart of the contrite. 

Leader: 16 I will not accuse them forever,
  nor will I always be angry, 
  for then they would faint away because of me— 
  the very people I have created. 

ALL: 17 I was enraged by their sinful greed; 
  I punished them, and hid my face in anger, 
  yet they kept on in their willful ways. 

Leader: 18 I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; 
  I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
  19 creating praise on their lips. 

ALL:   Peace, peace, to those far and near,” 
  says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”

Isaiah 35

Isaiah 35:3–10 (NLT)

Leader: 3 Strengthen those who have tired hands, 
  and encourage those who have weak knees. 

ALL: 4 Say to those with fearful hearts, 
  “Be strong, and do not fear, 
  for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. 
  He is coming to save you.” 

Leader: 5 And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind 
  and unplug the ears of the deaf. 

ALL: 6 The lame will leap like a deer, 
  and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! 
  Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, 
  and streams will water the wasteland. 

Leader: 7 The parched ground will become a pool, 
  and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. 

ALL: 8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land. 
  It will be named the Highway of Holiness. 
  Evil-minded people will never travel on it. 
  It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; 

Leader: 9 Lions will not lurk along the road, 
  nor any other ferocious beasts. 
  There will be no other dangers.
  Only the redeemed will walk on it. 

ALL: 10 Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. 
  They will be crowned with everlasting joy. 
  Sorrow and mourning will disappear, 
  and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Psalm 126

French Leader: 1 Quand l’Éternel ramena les captifs de Sion,
  Nous étions comme ceux qui font un rêve.

English Leader: 1 When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, 
  it was like a dream! 

ALL: 2 We were filled with laughter, 
  and we sang for joy. 

French Leader:  2 Alors on disait parmi les nations:
  L’Éternel a fait pour eux de grandes choses!

English Leader:  2 And the other nations said, 
  “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 

ALL: 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! 
  4 Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. 

French Leader: 5 Ceux qui sèment avec larmes 
  Moissonneront avec chants d’allégresse.

English Leader: 5 Those who plant in tears 
  will harvest with shouts of joy. 

ALL: 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, 
  but they sing as they return with the harvest.

Psalm 121

Leader: We lift up our eyes to the hills. From where does our help come?

ALL: Our help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Leader: He will not let our foot be moved; he who keeps us will not slumber.

ALL: Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

Leader: The LORD is our keeper; the LORD is our shade on our right hand.

ALL: The sun shall not strike us by day, nor the moon by night.

Leader: The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep our lives.

Psalm 67

Leader: 1 May God be merciful and bless us. 
  May his face smile with favor on us. 

ALL: 2 May your ways be known throughout the earth, 
  your saving power among people everywhere. 

  3 May the nations praise you, O God. 
  Yes, may all the nations praise you. 

Leader: 4 Let the whole world sing for joy, 
  because you govern the nations with justice 
  and guide the people of the whole world. 

ALL: 5 May the nations praise you, O God. 
  Yes, may all the nations praise you. 

Leader: 6 Then the earth will yield its harvests, 
  and God, our God, will richly bless us. 

ALL: 7 Yes, God will bless us, 
  and people all over the world will fear him.

KO