Yesaia 61
1 Otumfo Awurade Honhom wɔ me so, efisɛ, wɔafrɛ me sɛ memmɛka asɛmpa nkyerɛ ahiafo. Wasoma me se, menkɔkyekye wɔn a wɔn koma abubu werɛ, se mempae mu nka ahofadi nkyerɛ nnommum na wonyi nneduafo mfi sum mu,
The Spirit of Yahweh [our] Lord is on me; he has appointed [MTY] me to bring good news to those who are oppressed, to comfort those who are discouraged, to free [all] those who are [as though they are chained/tied] [DOU] [by the wrong things that they continually do].
2 se mempae mu nka Awurade adom no ho asɛm, ne yɛn Nyankopɔn aweretɔ da. Wasoma me se, menkyekye wɔn a wodi awerɛhow nyinaa werɛ,
He has sent me to tell those who mourn [about the members of their families who died] (OR, [who are still in Babylonia)] that now is the time when Yahweh will act kindly [toward his people]; now is the time when our God will (get revenge on/punish) [their enemies].
3 na memma wɔn a wodi awerɛhow wɔ Sion no nea wohia, na menhyɛ wɔn ahenkyɛw fɛfɛ nsi nsõ anan mu, anigye ngo nsi awerɛhowdi anan mu, ayeyi atade nsi abasamtu honhom anan mu. Wɔbɛfrɛ wɔn trenee adum nea Awurade adua de ada nʼanuonyam adi.
To [all] those in Jerusalem who mourn, he will give flower necklaces [to wear]; instead of ashes [that they put on their heads to show that they are sad]; he will cause them to rejoice [MTY] instead of being sad; he will enable them to be [MET] happy instead of being discouraged. They will be called “people who continually do what is right, people who are [like tall/strong] oak [trees] that Yahweh has planted” to show others that he is very great.
4 Wobesi tete mmubui no bio, na wɔasiesie mmeaemmeae a asɛe dedaada no; wɔbɛyɛ nkuropɔn a asɛe no foforo nea asɛe awo ntoatoaso bebree no.
[Those who return from Babylon] will rebuild the cities that [the soldiers from Babylon] tore down. [Even though] those cities have been destroyed and abandoned for many years, they will be restored/rebuilt.
5 Ananafo bɛhwɛ mo nguankuw; ahɔho bɛyɛ adwuma wɔ mo mfuw ne bobeturo mu.
Foreigners will be the ones who will take care of your flocks [of sheep and goats], and plow your fields and take care of your grapevines.
6 Na wɔbɛfrɛ mo Awurade asɔfo, wɔbɛto mo din sɛ yɛn Nyankopɔn asomfo. Amanaman no ahonya no na mubedi na wɔn ahode na mode bɛhoahoa mo ho.
But you [are the ones who] will be like the priests to serve Yahweh, to work for God. You will enjoy valuable goods [that are brought] from other nations, and you will be happy that those things have become yours.
7 Wɔn animguase anan mu me nkurɔfo benya anuonyam mmɔho, na ahohora anan mu wɔbɛsɛpɛw wɔn ho wɔ wɔn adedi mu; ne saa nti wɔn asase no so kyɛfa bɛyɛ mmɔho, na anigye a enni awiei bɛyɛ wɔn dea.
Previously you were shamed and disgraced, but now you will have great blessings; previously [your enemies] humbled you, but now you will have many good things; you will be happy because of being in your land again, and you will rejoice forever.
8 “Na me Awurade, mepɛ atɛntrenee. Mikyi korɔn ne nnebɔne. Me nokware mu, mɛbɔ wɔn aba so na me ne wɔn ayɛ apam a ɛbɛtena hɔ daa.
“I, Yahweh, am very pleased with those/judges who decide matters fairly; I hate [those who illegally] take things from other people. I will surely repay my people (for/because of) all that they have suffered [in the past]. And I will make an everlasting agreement with them.
9 Wɔn asefo begye din wɔ amanaman no mu ne wɔn mma wɔ nkurɔfo no mu. Wɔn a wohu wɔn nyinaa begye ato mu sɛ wɔyɛ nnipa a Awurade ahyira wɔn.”
Their descendants will be honored by people of other nations [DOU]. Everyone who sees them will know that they are a nation that [I], Yahweh, have blessed.”
10 Awurade mu na me ho sɛpɛw me mmoroso, me Nyankopɔn mu na me kra di ahurusi. Efisɛ, ɔde nkwagye ntama afura me na ɔde trenee atade yuu awura me, sɛnea ayeforokunu siesie me ti so sɛ ɔsɔfo, ne sɛnea ayeforo de nnwinne hyehyɛ ne ho no.
I greatly rejoice because of what Yahweh [has done]! I am happy, because he has saved me and declared that I am righteous; [those blessings are like] [MET] a robe that he has put on me. I am [as happy as] [SIM] a bridegroom in his wedding suit, or a bride wearing jewels.
11 Na sɛnea asase ma afifide pue na turo nso ma aba nyin no, saa ara na Otumfo Awurade bɛma trenee ne ayeyi apue wɔ amanaman anim.
Just as [seeds sown in] a garden sprout from the soil and grow [DOU], Yahweh [our] God will cause [people of] all nations to act righteously, with the result that they will praise him for doing that.
