Isaiah 41:1-9 ▼

1 “Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.

2 Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.

3 He pursues them, going on safely, hardly touching the path with his feet.

4 Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD— the first and the last— I am He.”

5 The islands see and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward.

6 Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!”

7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled.

8 “But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—

9 I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you.