³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way^(A) for the Lord^[a];
make straight^(B) in the desert
    a highway for our God.^[b](C)
4 Every valley shall be raised up,^(D)
    every mountain and hill^(E) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,^(F)
    the rugged places a plain.
⁵ And the glory^(G) of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.^(H)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”^(I)

⁶ A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,^(J)
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
⁷ The grass withers^(K) and the flowers fall,
    because the breath^(L) of the Lord blows^(M) on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers^(N) fall,
    but the word^(O) of our God endures^(P) forever.^(Q)”

⁹ You who bring good news^(R) to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,^[c](S)
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”^(T)
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes^(U) with power,^(V)
    and he rules^(W) with a mighty arm.^(X)
See, his reward^(Y) is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
¹¹ He tends his flock like a shepherd:^(Z)
    He gathers the lambs in his arms^(AA)
and carries them close to his heart;^(AB)
    he gently leads^(AC) those that have young.^(AD)