What does Isaias Chapter 60 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Atlas of Saints · Chapter summary

Jerusalem’s light accompanies returning children, nations and gifts. Rebuilt walls and open gates contrast with earlier abandonment. The everlasting-light conclusion retains the edition’s separately stated heavenly reading.

Chapter breakdown

Isaias 60 calls Jerusalem to arise in arrived light and glory while darkness and mist cover earth and peoples. Gentiles walk in light and kings in rising brightness. Gathered sons come afar and daughters rise at her side; sea multitude and Gentile strength enlarge the wondering heart. Camels and dromedaries from Madian and Epha, gold and frankincense from Saba, flocks of Cedar and rams of Nabaioth accompany praise and an acceptable altar. Clouds and doves at windows supply a question, followed by sea ships bringing sons, silver and gold.

Strangers' children build walls and kings minister under reconciliation after wrath. Open gates receive Gentile strength and kings, while nonserving nations perish. Libanus's fir, box and pine beautify sanctuary and the Lord's feet. Afflictors' children and slanderers bow, naming Sion the Lord's city. Abandonment becomes generations' glory; Gentile milk and royal breasts supply nurture and knowledge of the redeemer.

Gold replaces brass, silver iron, brass wood and iron stones. Visitation is peace and overseers justice. Iniquity, wasting and destruction vanish; salvation possesses walls and praise gates. The Lord becomes everlasting light beyond sun and moon. The edition explains a transition here from earthly Church promises to heavenly Church glory. Mourning ends, just people inherit and a least one becomes thousand and strong nation suddenly in its time. An irresistible attraction, fleets actually flying, new wall-name ceremony and unrelated families are not added.

The story inside

Opening: Jerusalem’s light accompanies returning children, nations and gifts. Development: Rebuilt walls and open gates contrast with earlier abandonment. Conclusion: The everlasting-light conclusion retains the edition’s separately stated heavenly reading.

Lessons worth keeping

1
Jerusalem’s light accompanies returning children, nations and gifts.
2
Rebuilt walls and open gates contrast with earlier abandonment.
3
The everlasting-light conclusion retains the edition’s separately stated heavenly reading.

Test your recall

Which images and requests does the speaker use, and what does the chapter leave unresolved?

Source edition and notes

Douay–Rheims, revised by Richard Challoner (1749–1752). Project Gutenberg no. 1581. Locators refer to lines in the admitted pg1581.txt edition. Source notes may include Challoner commentary.

Lines 83419–83420
60:1. Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
Lines 83488–83490
60:19. Thou shalt no more have the sun for thy light by day, neither shall the brightness of the moon enlighten thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee for an everlasting light, and thy God for thy glory.