1
But now, this is what the LORD says - he who created you,
O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you:
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2
When you oass through waters, I will be with you; and
when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3
For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Sebs in your stead.
4
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I ove you,
I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchage for your life.
5
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children
from the east and gather you from the west.
6
I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south,
'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters
from the ends of the earth -
7
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."
8
Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.
9
All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble.
"Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."
10
"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and mu servants whom I have
chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
11
I, even I, am the ORD, and apart from from me there is no savior.
12
I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god
among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.
13
Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"
14
The is what the LORD says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives
all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.
15
I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King."
16
This is what the LORD says - he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
17
who drew out the chariots ad horses, the army and reinforcements
together, and they lay there, never to rse again, extinguished,
snuffed out like a wick:
18
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
20
The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide
water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my
people, my chosen,
21
the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
22
"Yet you have not called upon me, Jacob,
you have not wearied yourselves for me, OIsrael.
23
You have not brought sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me
with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings
nor wearied you with demands for incense.
24
You have not brought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me
the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied me with your offenses.
25
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions,
for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
26
Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together;
state the case for your innocence.
27
Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me.
28
So I will disgrace the dignitaries of your temple,
and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.
