1. Listen to me, you islands.Pay attention, you people far away.Before I was born, the Lord chose me.While I was in my mother’s womb, he recorded my name.
2. He made my tongue like a sharp swordand hid me in the palm of his hand.He made me like a sharpened arrowand hid me in his quiver.
3. He said to me,“You are my servant Israel.I will display my glory through you.”
4. But I said,“I have worked hard for nothing.I have used my strength, but I didn’t accomplish anything.Yet, certainly my case is in the Lord’s hands,and my reward is with my God.”
5. The Lord formed me in the womb to be his servantin order to bring Jacob back to himand gather Israel to him.(The Lord honors me,and my God has become my strength.)
6. Now, the Lord says,“You are not just my servantwho restores the tribes of Jacoband brings back those in Israel whom I have preserved.I have also made you a light for the nationsso that you would save people all over the world.”
7. The Lord is the defender of Israel, its Holy One.This is what the Lord says to the despised one, to the one scorned by the nation, to the slave of rulers:Kings will see ⌊you⌋ and stand.Princes will see ⌊you⌋ and bow.The Lord is faithful.The Holy One of Israel has chosen you.
8. This is what the Lord says:In the time of favor I will answer you.In the day of salvation I will help you.I will protect you.I will appoint you as my promise to the people.You will restore the land.You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.
9. You will say to the prisoners, “Come out,”and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”They will graze along every path,and they will find pastures on every bare hill.
10. They will never be hungry or thirsty,nor will the sun or the burning, hot wind strike them.The one who has compassion on them will lead themand guide them to springs.
11. I will turn all my mountains into roads,and my highways will be restored.
12. They will come from far away.They will come from the north and from the west,and they will come from the land of Sinim.