Isaiah 43
1But now this is what Yahweh says, he who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel: 1 “Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. 1
2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. 1 When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, and the flames will not destroy you. 1
3For I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 1 I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. 1
4Since you are precious and special in my sight, I love you; 1 therefore I will give people in exchange for you, and other peoples in exchange for your life. 1
5Do not be afraid, for I am with you; 1 I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 1
6I will say to the north, 'Hand them over;' and to the south, 'Do not hold any back;' 1 Bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the remote regions of the earth, 1
7everyone who is called by my name, whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made. 1
8Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes, and the deaf, even though they have ears. 1
9All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. 1 Who among them could have declared this and announced to us earlier events? 1 Let them bring their witnesses to prove themselves right, let them listen and affirm, 'It is true.' 1
10You are my witnesses,” declares Yahweh, “and my servant whom I have chosen, 1 so that you may know and believe in me, and understand that I am he. 1 Before me there was no god formed, and there will be none after me. 1
11I, I am Yahweh, and there is no savior but me. 1
12I have declared, saved, and proclaimed, and there is no other god among you. 1 You are my witnesses,” declares Yahweh, “I am God. 1
13From this day on I am he, 1 and no one can rescue anyone from my hand. I act, and who can turn it back?” 1
14This is what Yahweh says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 1 “For your sake I send to Babylon and lead them all down as fugitives, 1 turning the Babylonians' expressions of joy into songs of lamentation. 1
15I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 1
16This is what Yahweh says (who opened a way through the sea and a path in the mighty waters, 1
17who led out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty host. They fell down together; 1 they will never rise again; they are extinguished, quenched like a burning wick.) 1
18“Do not think about these former things, nor consider the things of long ago. 1
19Look, I am about to do a new thing; now it begins to happen; do you not perceive it? 1 I will make a road in the desert and streams of water in the wilderness. 1
20The wild animals of the field will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, 1 because I give water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, 1 for my chosen people to drink, 1
21this people whom I formed for myself, 1 that they might recount my praises. 1
22But you have not called on me, Jacob; you have become tired of me, Israel. 1
23You have not brought me any of your sheep as burnt offerings, 1 or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings, nor wearied you with demands for incense. 1
24You have bought me no sweet-smelling cane with money, neither have you poured out to me the fat of your sacrifices; 1 but you have burdened me with your sins, you have wearied me with your evil deeds. 1
25I, yes, I, am he who blots out your offenses for my own sake; and I will not call to mind your sins any longer. 1
26Remind me of what happened. Let us debate together; present your cause, that you may be proved innocent. 1
27Your first father sinned, and your leaders have transgressed against me. 1
28Therefore I will defile the holy officials; I will hand Jacob over to complete destruction, and Israel to abusive humiliation.”