1. All of you people in faraway places, listen to me.Listen, all you nations far away.Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him.The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb.
2. He made my tongue like a sharp sword.He hid me in the shadow of his hand.He made me like a sharp arrow.He hid me in the holder for his arrows.
3. He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.I will show my glory through you.”
4. But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing;I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful.But the Lord will decide what my work is worth;God will decide my reward.”
5. The Lord made me in the body of my motherto be his servant,to lead the people of Jacob back to himso that Israel might be gathered to him.The Lord will honor me,and I will get my strength from my God.
6. Now he told me,“You are an important servant to meto bring back the tribes of Jacob,to bring back the people of Israel who are left alive.But, more importantly, I will make you a light for all nationsto show people all over the world the way to be saved.”
7. The Lord who saves youis the Holy One of Israel.He speaks to the one who is hated by the people,to the servant of rulers.This is what he says: “Kings will see you and stand to honor you;great leaders will bow down before you,because the Lord can be trusted.He is the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
8. This is what the Lord says:“At the right time I will hear your prayers.On the day of salvation I will help you.I will protect you,and you will be the sign of my agreement with the people.You will bring back the people to the landand give the land that is now ruined back to its owners.
9. You will tell the prisoners, ‘Come out of your prison.’You will tell those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’The people will eat beside the roads,and they will find food even on bare hills.
10. They will not be hungry or thirsty.Neither the hot sun nor the desert wind will hurt them.The God who comforts them will lead themand guide them by springs of water.
11. I will make my mountains into roads,and the roads will be raised up.
12. Look, people are coming to me from far away,from the north and from the west,from Aswan in southern Egypt.”
13. Heavens and earth, be happy.Mountains, shout with joy,because the Lord comforts his peopleand will have pity on those who suffer.
14. But Jerusalem said, “The Lord has left me;the Lord has forgotten me.”