Today’s Scripture:

“Comfort, comfort my people,”says your[a] God.2 “Speak kindly to[b] Jerusalem and tell herthat her time of warfare is over,[c]that her punishment is completed.[d]For the Lord has made her pay double[e] for all her sins.”3 A voice cries out,“In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord;build a level road[f] through the rift valley[g] for our God.4 Every valley must be elevated,and every mountain and hill leveled.The rough terrain will become a level plain,the rugged landscape a wide valley.5 The splendor[h] of the Lord will be revealed,and all people[i] will see it at the same time.For[j] the Lord has decreed it.”[k]6 A voice says, “Cry out!”Another asks,[l] “What should I cry out?”The first voice responds:[m] “All people are like grass,[n]and all their promises[o] are like the flowers in the field.7 The grass dries up,the flowers wither,when the wind sent by the Lord[p] blows on them.Surely humanity[q] is like grass.8 The grass dries up,the flowers wither,but the decree of our God is forever reliable.”[r]9 Go up on a high mountain, O herald Zion.Shout out loudly, O herald Jerusalem![s]Shout, don’t be afraid!Say to the towns of Judah,“Here is your God!”10 Look, the Sovereign Lord comes as a victorious warrior;[t]his military power establishes his rule.[u]Look, his reward is with him;his prize goes before him.[v]11 Like a shepherd he tends his flock;he gathers up the lambs with his arm;he carries them close to his heart;[w]he leads the ewes along.

12 Who has measured out the waters[