Isaiah 49:1-16 ▼

1 Listen, islands, to me; and listen, you peoples, from far: the LORD has called me from the womb; from the body of my mother has he made mention of my name:

2 and he has made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand, he has hidden me; and he has made me a polished arrow, in his quiver has he kept me close:

3 and he said to me, |You are my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified.|

4 But I said, |I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with the LORD, and my reward with my God.|

5 Now says the LORD who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered to him; for I am honorable in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength.

6 And he says, |Is it too insignificant a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the remnant of Israel? I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may bring salvation to the farthest part of the earth.|

7 Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to the one who is despised, to the abhorred of the nation, the servant of rulers: |Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall worship; because of the LORD who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.|

8 Thus says the LORD, |In an acceptable time I have answered you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you; and I will preserve you, and give you as a covenant to the people, to raise up the land, to make them inherit the desolate heritage:

9 saying to those who are bound, 'Come out.'; to those who are in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' |They shall feed in the ways, and on all bare heights shall be their pasture.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun strike them: for he who has mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water he will guide them.

11 I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.

12 Look, these shall come from far; and look, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Syene.|

13 Sing, heavens; and be joyful, earth; and break forth into singing, mountains: for the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.

14 But Zion said, |The LORD has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.|

15 |Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you.

16 Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.