Definition: Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways [shall be] made smooth;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly powerful verse from Luke 3:5. It's a really beautiful and hopeful passage about God’s plan for redemption. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Core Idea: This verse speaks about God’s desire to restore everything that is broken and damaged. Let’s unpack each part: “Every valley shall be filled…” : This refers to all of the suffering, pain, injustice, and negativity in the world. “Valley” represents a place of sorrow, hardship, and perhaps even despair. It suggests a deep, widespread problem that needs to be addressed. “…and every mountain and hill shall be brought low…” : This means that these problems – the things God has created – will be reduced to nothingness. Mountains and hills are often symbols of great power and obstacles. They’re challenges to overcome. “And the crooked shall be made straight…” : This is a crucial part! “Crooked” represents something that's wrong, flawed, or out of alignment. It suggests things that were once perfect but have become damaged or unbalanced. “…and the rough ways [shall] be made smooth.” : This means that these problems will be calmed down and made easier to deal with. "Rough ways" refer to difficulties, challenges, or obstacles that are currently hindering progress. Making them smooth represents a reduction of suffering and an easing of burdens. So, putting it all together: God wants to heal all the brokenness in the world. He's saying that His plan is to eliminate the things that cause pain and difficulty, and to bring everything back into balance and harmony. It’s about restoring order and making things better for everyone. It’s a message of hope! The verse speaks of God’s power to transform our world – even the hardest places. --- Does this explanation make sense? Would you like me to: Explain it in more detail with an example? Discuss what this verse might mean in a specific context (like the story of Jesus' baptism)?