- Here is my servant! I have made him strong. He is my chosen one; I am pleased with him. I have given him my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations.
- He won't shout or yell or call out in the streets.
- He won't break off a bent reed or put out a dying flame, but he will make sure that justice is done.
- He won't quit or give up until he brings justice everywhere on earth, and people in foreign nations long for his teaching.
- I am the Lord God. I created the heavens like an open tent above, I made the earth and everything that grows on it. I am the source of life for all who live on this earth, so listen to what I say.
- I chose you to bring justice, and I am here at your side. I selected and sent you to bring light and my promise of hope to the nations.
- You will give sight to the blind; you will se prisoners free from dark dungeons.
- My name is the Lord! I won't let idols or humans share my glory and raise.
- Everything has happened just as I said it would; now I will announce what will happen next.
- Tell the whole world to sing a new song to the Lord! Tell those who sail the ocean and those who live far away to join in the praise.
- Tell the tribes of the desert and everyone in the mountains to celebrate and sing.
- Let them announce his praises everywhere.
- The Lord is marching out like an angry soldier,shouting with all his might while attacking his enemies.
- For a long time, I, the Lord, have held my temper; now I will scream and groan like a woman geving birth.
- I will destroy the mountains and what grows on them; I will dry up rivers and ponds.
- I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. This is my solemn promise.
- Everyone who worships idols as though they were gods will be terribly ashamed.
- You people are deaf and blind, but the Lord commands you to listen and to see.
- No one is as blind or deaf as his messenger, his chosen servant,
- who sees and hears so much, but pays no attention.
- The Lord always does right, and so he wantedhis Law to be greatly praised.
- But his people were trapped and imprisoned in holes with no one to rescue them. All they owned had been taken, and no one was willing to give it back.
- Why won't his people ever learn to listen?
- Israel sinned and refused to obey the Lord or follow his instructions. So the Lord let them be robbed of everything they owned.
- He was furious with them and punished their nation with the fires of war. Still they paid no attention. They didn't even care when they were surrounded and scorched by flames.