Isaiah 60 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Rise up! Let your light break through — because your light has arrived, and the radiance of Yahweh has dawned over you.

Look — darkness covers the earth, and deep shadow blankets the nations, but Yahweh is rising over you, and his radiance is being revealed through you.

Nations will walk toward your light, and kings will come to the brightness of your dawning.

Lift your eyes and look around — they are all gathering, they are coming to you. Your sons are coming from far away, and your daughters are being carried on the hip.

Then you will see it and beam with joy, your heart will race and swell — because the wealth of the sea will pour toward you, the riches of the nations will flow in.

Caravans of camels will flood your land — young camels from Midian and Ephah. Everyone from Sheba will come, carrying gold and incense, and announcing the praiseworthy acts of Yahweh.

All the flocks of Kedar will gather to you, the rams of Nebaioth will serve your needs — they will be accepted on my altar, and I will make my magnificent house even more magnificent.

Who are these, flying like a cloud, like doves rushing to their nesting holes?

The coastlands are looking to me — with the great ships leading the way — to bring your children from far off, their silver and gold with them, for the name of Yahweh your God, for the Sacred One of Israel, because he has made you stunning.

Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though I struck you in my anger, in my deep care I have shown you compassion.

Your gates will stay open — always. Day and night they will never be shut, so the wealth of the nations can be brought in, with their kings being led in procession.

Because any nation or kingdom that will not serve you will be destroyed — those nations will be left in total ruin.

The magnificence of Lebanon will come to you — cypress, elm, and pine together — to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the ground where I stand glorious.

The children of those who oppressed you will come bowing before you, and everyone who treated you with contempt will fall at your feet. They will call you 'The City of Yahweh,' 'Zion of the Sacred One of Israel.'

Instead of being abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you an everlasting source of pride, a joy that lasts through every generation.

You will drink the milk of nations and nurse at the breast of kings, and you will know that I, Yahweh, am your rescuer, that the Mighty One of Jacob is the one who redeems you.

Instead of bronze I will bring gold, instead of iron I will bring silver, instead of wood — bronze, and instead of stones — iron. I will make peace your government and justice your authority.

Violence will never again be heard in your land, nor devastation or destruction within your borders. You will call your walls 'Rescue' and your gates 'Praise.'

The sun will no longer be your light by day, and the brightness of the moon will not shine for you — because Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your beauty.

Your sun will never set again, and your moon will never fade — because Yahweh will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning will be over.

Your people will all be just, they will possess the land forever — the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, so that I might be displayed in all my beauty.

The smallest will become a thousand, and the least will become a mighty nation. I am Yahweh — when the time is right, I will make it happen quickly.