Readings for December 19, 2021 annotated; lectionary 12, Fourth Sunday in Advent

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks  will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. They are provided beneath the specific reading the words appear in. 

Additional resources related to some of the readings are hyperlinked after those readings and the definitions of key words. In those readings.

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

 

Reading I: Micah 5:1-4a

    Thus says the LORD:
    You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
        too small to be among the clans of Judah,
    from you shall come forth for me
        one who is to be ruler in Israel;
    whose origin is from of old,
        from ancient times.
    Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
        when she who is to give birth has borne,
    and the rest of his kindred shall return
        to the children of Israel.
    He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
        by the strength of the LORD,
        in the majestic name of the LORD, his God;

  and they shall remain, for now his greatness
        shall reach to the ends of the earth;
        he shall be peace.

shepherd = רָעָה= rāʿâ Blue Letter Bible  to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; to associate with (as a friend); to delight in; to govern, rule

 

strength = עֹז=ʿōz Blue Letter Bible might, power; material or physical, personal or social or political; firmness; defense, refuge, protection; splendor, majesty, glory

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19  

R. (4) Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherdof Israel, hearken, from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power, and come to save us.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts, look down from heaven, and see;
take care ofthis vine, and protectwhat your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
R. Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.

turn = שׁוּב= šûḇ Blue Letter Bible to return, turn back;to restore, refresh, repair;recall, recompense, recover, refresh 

shepherd = רָעָה= rāʿâ Blue Letter Bible  to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; to associate with (as a friend); to delight in; to govern, rule

call = קָרָא= qārā'  Blue Letter Bible to call, cry, utter a loud sound;to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name;call=name= give name to; to call upon or to

Reading II:Hebrews 10:5-10 

Brothers and sisters:
When Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me;in holocausts and sin offerings you took no delight. Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, behold, I come to do your will, O God.’”

First he says, “Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in.” These are offered according to the law. Then he says: Behold, I come to do your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second. By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at Wisdom Principles—True Piety.

Alleluia: Luke 1:38 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Maryset out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessedis the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” 

set out =ἀνίστημι = anistēmi  Blue Letter Bible Arise, Arose, Arouse, Raise, Rise, Rouse; to stand up or to make to stand up;  lift up; of those who leave a place to go elsewhere; to leap up, spring up, start up; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon to make to stand up, raise up; to raise from sleep, wake up; to rouse to action, stir up; to rise to go, set out, go away; to be compelled to migrate; Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary   make to stand or get up; rousing

haste = σπουδή= spoudē Blue Letter Bible haste, zeal, diligence; earnest care; Diligence, Diligent, Diligently; forwardness; earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything; to give all diligence, interest one's self most earnestly; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon haste, speed; zeal, pains, exertion, trouble, to make much ado about a thing;with great attention to; zeal, earnestness, seriousness;  an object of attention, a serious engagement; with great exertion, with difficulty; earnestly, seriously, urgently; Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionaryearnest effort; eagerly, quickly

blessed = εὐλογέω = eulogeō Blue Letter Bible to speak well of; to praise, to celebrate with praises; "to cause to prosper, to make happy, to bestow blessings on; favoured of God; speak well of;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  speak well of, praise, honour

blessed = μακάριος = makarios Blue Letter Bible blessed, happy,happier; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott,An Intermediate Greek-English Lexiconblessed, happy; the rich and better educated

believed = πιστεύω = pisteuō Blue Letter Bible"to be persuaded of," and hence, "to place confidence in, to trust," signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence; to entrust, commit to; to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in; the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul; credit; to have a faith directed unto, believing or in faith to give oneself up to; to commit oneself trustfully; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicontrust, put faith in, rely on; comply; feel confident that a thing is

 

fulfilled = τελείωσις = teleiōsis Blue Letter Bible completion, perfection, and end accomplished as the effect of a process; a completing, a perfecting; fulfilment, accomplishment; the event which verifies the promise;  consummation, perfection; performance; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon accomplishment, fulfilment

 

This scripture is further analyzed at What We Can Learn from Jesus' Nativity: The Visitation (Luke 1:39-45)

 

What these readings tell us about God/His ways:

one who is to be ruler

whose origin is from of old, from ancient time
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD, his God

his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth
he shall be peace

shepherd

your power

come to save us.

LORD of hosts
take care of

Protect

right hand has planted
you yourself made strong

your help

you yourself made strong
give us new life

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me

Sacrifices and offerings, holocausts and sin offerings, you neither desired nor delighted in

He takes away the first to establish the second

By this “will,” we have been consecrated through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all

Blessedare you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled

What these readings tell us to do:

turn to you

turn to you

turn to you

no more withdraw from you
call upon your name
turn to you

I come to do your will

I come to do your will

set out 

in haste 

believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled

Gospel for December 12, 2021 (with additions) annotated; lectionary 92, Third Sunday in Advent

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks  will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

Information about the meaning the original Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue.  They are provided beneath the specific reading they relate to. 

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

Excerpts collected in red  at the end of this post tell us about something God does not want us to do. 

Hyperlinks to other posts addressing similar principles are provided at the end of this post.

Luke 3:8-16

Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance; and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?”

He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none.  And whoever has food should do likewise.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”

Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ.

John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

Produce= ποιέω = poieō Blue Letter Bible to do, make; used of spending a time or tarrying, in a place; to acquire, to provide a thing for one's self; to produce, bear, shoot forth; to carry out, to execute; to celebrate, keep; to perform; abide; continue; perform; to labor, to do work; to be operative, exercise activity; accomplish Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  make, produce; create, bring into existence; bring about, cause;make, render;do; practice;to be doing, act; be efficacious

fruit = καρπός = karpos Blue Letter Bible that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism; the visible expression of power working inwardly and invisibly; advantage, profit;sanctification; that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result;work, act, deed; utility; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon the fruits of the earth, corn, harvest, produce; taxes paid in kind; seed with seed-vessel;returns, profits; reward 

be satisfied = ἀρκέω = arkeō Blue Letter Bible Content (To Be), Contentment, to be satisfied, contented with;o be satisfied, to be contented; to suffice, to be sufficient, to be possessed of sufficient strength; to be possessed of unfailing strength; to defend, ward off;to bear the evil manfully Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexiconto ward off, keep off;to defend, assist, succor;to be strong enough, to be sufficient, to suffice; avail, hold out; to be satisfied with; content

What this gospel tells us about God/His ways:

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones

every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire

one mightier than I is coming

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire

His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire

he preached good news to the people.

What this gospel tells us to do:

Produce good fruits as evidence of your repentance

produce good fruit 

share with the person who has none

be satisfied with your wages

What this gospel tells us not to do:

do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father

does not produce good fruit 

Stop collecting more than what is prescribed
Do not practice extortion

do not falsely accuse anyone

Posts addressing similar principles:

What we can learn about fruitfulness from John 15

Gardening Bible Study: John 15:1-17

Wisdom Principles—True Piety

Spiritual Infrastructure, Holy “twofers,” and Luke 3:2-14

“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.”

Governments sometimes undertake infrastructure projects to address specfic problems, but those projects end up providing other benefits. For example, a road is upgraded to remove a specific bottleneck, the bottleneck is removed, but that also helps the community’s overall economy. The project ends up being a “twofer.”

We see something similar in Luke 3:2-14. God directed His people to undertake a spiritual infrastructure project. He told them to upgrade their individual relationships with Him by getting rid of things that had gotten between them and Him or that interfered with what He wanted for/from them. He did that by an analogy to a practice common in antiquity: improving roads to facilitate a king’s visit.  The message was clear—these folks needed to deal with their sin on an individual, interior, basis.

Verses 9 through 14 describe the outward results of that interior change: treating others generously, fairly, righteously. That would benefit the community as a whole by meeting material needs and improving relationships.  

In sum, the spiritual infrastructure improvement God directed—healed individual relationships with Him—would also produce real good for others.   It would be a holy “twofer.” 

That was not a one-time dynamic. It can and does happen today, whenever God’s folks truly, humbly, submit themselves to Him. That inevitably leads to changed conduct, conduct that benefits others in concrete ways.

Let me give you an example. A guy I know had been married for decades, but the marriage had atrophied. He remained faithful, but the joy had largely been replaced by obligation. My buddy noted that his examinations of conscience repeatedly revealed impatience with his wife. He also saw that his less than charitable attitude towards her interfered with what God wanted from him as a husband and father. God directed him to repent of that and to start loving his wife like Christ loves the Church, as mandated by Ephesians 5:25-29 and other scriptures.  He worked hard to do that, primarily out of obedience to God.  That not only reconciled him with God, it also returned joy to his marriage, benefitting him, his wife, and other family members in palpable ways. Another divine “twofer.”

The point is this: God, in His perfect love and knowledge, often brings multiple goods out of our obedience, blessing others with holy “twofers.”  We are therefore wise to obey His instructions and take on the spiritual infrastructure projects He directs.  We—and others—will be glad we did.

Readings for December 5, 2021 annotated; lectionary 6, Second Sunday in Advent

This translation is from the New American Bible. The bolded hyperlinks  will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context. 

Information about the meaning the original Hebrew or Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue. They are provided beneath the specific reading they relate to. 

Excerpts collected in yellow  at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him. 

Excerpts collected in green  at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do. 

Reading I:Baruch 5:1-9

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God, bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name. For God will show all the earth your splendor: you will be named by God forever the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
    
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights; look to the east and see your children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One, rejoicing that they are remembered by God. Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones. For God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low, and that the age-old depths and gorges be filled to level ground, that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God. The forests and every fragrant kind of tree have overshadowed Israel at God’s command; for God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory, with his mercy and justice for company.

 

Responsorial Psalm:Psalm 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 

R. (3)The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion, we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with rejoicing. 

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed. 

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. 

R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

great things = גָּדַל= gāḏal Blue Letter Bibleto grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things; twist a cord, make firm;  become strong, (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride); advance; increase, lift up, magnify; to make much of

joy = שָׂמֵחַ= śāmēaḥ Blue Letter Biblejoyful, merry, glad

Reading II: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11 

I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

***

God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. 

pray, prayer = δέησις =deēsisBlue Letter Biblean asking, entreaty, supplication, request; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon entreaty, petition 

joy = χαρά= chara Blue Letter BibleDelight, gladness; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon delight  

complete = ἐπιτελέω = epiteleō Blue Letter Bibleaccomplish perfectly; perfect; to bring through to the end; perform; execute, complete; finish; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  complete, finish, accomplish, fulfillment; bring to perfection, in Logic, of a syllogism, to be made perfect, by reduction to the first figure; discharge 

love = ἀγάπη = agape  Blue Letter Bible affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love; Of the love of men to men, especially of that love of Christians toward Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or as expressed; the love of men toward God, the love of God toward men,the love of God toward Christ, the love of Christ toward men,the love of Christ toward men; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  the love of husband and wife, love of God for man and of man for God; brotherly love, charity; alms, charity. 

overflow = περισσεύω = perisseuō  Blue Letter Bible  Abundance, Abundant, Abundantly, Abound; exceeding a certain number, or measure, to be over; to redound to, or to turn out abundantly for something; to be abundantly furnished, to abound in a thing; to be more than enough, to be pre-eminent, superior; Exceed, Exceeding, Exceedingly;to be over and above, over a certain number or measure, to abound, exceed;to exist or be at hand in abundance; a thing which comes in abundance, or overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure; superfluity; to furnish one richly so that he has abundance; Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  to be over and above; to be more than enough, remain over;abundance, to abound in, to be superfluous;have more than enough of

knowledge = ἐπίγνωσις = epignōsis  Blue Letter Bible  full, or thorough knowledge, discernment, recognition; exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition; precise and correct knowledge; full discernment;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  recognition

perception = αἴσθησις = aisthēsis   Blue Letter Bible  perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect;cognition, discernment; judgment;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  sense-perception, sensation,perception, knowledge of a thing, the means of observing

filled = πληρόω = plēroō Blue Letter Bible to fulfill, to complete, carry out to the full; perfect; complete; to make full, to fill to the full; to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim; to make complete in every particular, to render perfect; to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out; bring to realisation, realise; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally; to flood; diffuse throughout one's soul; pervade, take possession of;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, make full; gorge, satiate, glut; complete; fulfill 

Alleluia:Luke 3:4, 6 

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.

John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,  as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
    A voice of one crying out in the desert:
    “Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make straight his paths.
    Every valley shall be filled
        and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
    The winding roads shall be made straight,
        and the rough ways made smooth,
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

crying out (Greek, from Luke) = βοάω = boaōBlue Letter Bible to raise a cry, to speak with a strong voice; speak with a high, strong voice; to halloo, i.e. shout (for help or in a tumultuous way);to cry to one for help, implore his aid;Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon roar, howl;call to one, call on; shout out for; noise abroad, celebrate; command in aloud notice to do a thing; to be filled with sound; to be deafened

crying out (Hebrew, from Isaiah 40:3) = קָרָא= qārā' Blue Letter Bibleto call, cry, utter a loud sound;to proclaim; to read aloud, read (to oneself); the idea of accosting a person met; address by name;call=name= give name to; to call upon or to

Prepare (Greek, from Luke) = ἑτοιμάζω = hetoimazōBlue Letter Bibleto make the necessary preparations, get everything ready; prepare, provide, make ready; drawn from the oriental custom of sending on before kings on their journeys persons to level the roads and make them passableHenry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English LexiconGet ready; make oneself ready; to be prepared with 

Prepare (Hebrew, from Isaiah 40:3) = פָּנָה = pānâ Blue Letter Bible  to turn toward or from or away;to turn and do; to approach; make clear, clear away; to face;turn and look; regard; look for; turn away, put out of the way,make clear,clear away things scattered about, make orderly; to turn oneself; to direct one’s course, to intend, to propose to oneself

 

straight (Greek, from Luke) = εὐθύς = euthys Blue Letter Bibleforthwith; direct, right; level; upright, true, sincere;  Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon  straight, direct, whether vertically or horizontally; straightforward, frank; outright, openly, without reserve; directly; straightway, forthwith, immediately, as soon as; directly, simply

 

make straight (Hebrew, from Isaiah 40:3)= יָשַׁר= yāšar Blue Letter Bible to be right, be straight, be level, be upright, be just, be lawful, be smooth; to be pleasing, be agreeable, be right; to make right, make smooth;to be made level, be laid smoothly out;direct, fit, seem good (meet), please; go straight; straightforward, upright; esteem as right; approve

 

What these readings tell us about God/His ways:

the splendor of glory from God

justice from God

children gathered from the east and the west at the word of the Holy One

they are remembered by God

Led away on foot by their enemies they left you: but God will bring them back to you borne aloft in glory

Israel may advance secure in the glory of God

God is leading Israel in joy by the light of his glory

his mercy and justice for company.

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy
the LORD brought back the captives of Zion

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy
The LORD has done great things for them
The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad indeed.

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy
Those who sowin tears shall reap rejoicing.

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy
Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown
They shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it 

the affection of Christ Jesus

filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God

all flesh shall see the salvation of God

the word of God came to John
A voice of one crying out in the desert
all flesh shall see the salvation of God

What these readings tell us to do:

take off your robe of mourning and misery

put on the splendor of glory from God forever: wrapped in the cloak of justice from God

bear on your head the mitre that displays the glory of the eternal name.

we are filled with joy

we are filled with joy

we are filled with joy
sow

we are filled with joy
carrying the seed to be sown
carrying their sheaves.
we are filled with joy.

pray always with joy in my every prayer 

partnership for the 

your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception

discern what is of value

be pure and blameless for the day of Christ

filled with the fruit of righteousness  

Prepare the way of the Lord

make straight his paths

Prepare the way of the Lord
make straight his paths

Every valley shall be filled

and every mountain and hill shall be made low

The winding roads shall be made straight

and the rough ways made smooth