1. The Lord says, “Faraway countries, listen to me.Let the nations become strong.Come to me and speak.We will meet together to decide who is right.
2. “Who caused the man to come from the east?Who gives the man victories everywhere he goes?The one who brought him gives nations over to him.He defeats kings for him.The man uses his sword, and the kings become like dust.He uses his bow, and they are blown away like chaff.
3. He chases them and is never hurt.He goes places where he has never been before.
4. Who caused this to happen?Who has controlled history since the beginning?I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning.And I will be here when all things are finished.”
5. All you faraway places, look and be afraid.All you places far away on the earth, shake with fear.Come close and listen to me.
6. The workers help each other.They say to each other, “Be strong!”
7. The man who carves wood encourages the man who works with gold.The workman who smooths the metal with a hammer encourages the man who shapes the metal.This last workman says, “This metal work is good.”He nails the statue to a base so it can’t fall over.
8. The Lord says, “People of Israel, you are my servants.People of Jacob, I chose you.You are from the family of my friend Abraham.
9. You were far away on the earth.I called you from a faraway country.I said, ‘You are my servants.’I have chosen you, and I have not turned against you.