Isaiah 49
1Listen to me, you coastlands! Now give my your attention, you distant peoples. 1 Yahweh has called me from birth by name, when my mother brought me into the world. 1
2He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand; 1 he has made me into a polished arrow; in his quiver he has hidden me. 1
3He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory.” 1
4But I replied, “Though I thought I have labored in vain, I have spent my energy for nothing, 1 yet my justice is with Yahweh, and my reward is with my God.” 1
5Now Yahweh has spoken—he who formed me from birth to be his servant, 1 to restore Jacob again to himself, so that Israel would be gathered to him, 1 for I am honored in the eyes of Yahweh, and my God has become my strength— 1
6and he says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to reestablish the tribes of Jacob, 1 and to restore the survivors of Israel. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, 1 that you may be my salvation to the ends of the earth.” 1
7This is what Yahweh says, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, 1 to the one whose life is despised, hated by the nations, and a slave of rulers, 1 “Kings will see you and arise, and princes will see you and bow down, 1 because of Yahweh who is faithful, even the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” 1
8This is what Yahweh says, 1 “At a time I decide to show my favor I will answer you, and in a day of salvation I will help you; 1 I will protect you, and give you as a covenant for the people, 1 to rebuild the land, to reassign the desolate inheritance. 1
9You will say to the prisoners, 'Come out;' to those in dark dungeons, 'Show yourselves.' 1 They will graze along the roads, and on all the bare slopes will be their pasture. 1
10They will not be hungry or thirsty; nor will the heat or sun beat on them, 1 for he who has mercy on them will lead them; he will guide them to springs of water. 1
11Then I will make all my mountains into a road, and make my highways level.” 1
12Look, these will come from far away, some from the north and the west; and others from the land of Sinim. 1
13Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth; break into singing, you mountains! 1 For Yahweh comforts his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted. 1
14But Zion said, “Yahweh has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.” 1
15“Can a woman forget her baby, nursing at her breast, so she does not have compassion on the son she has borne? 1 Yes, they may forget, but I will not forget you. 1
16Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms; your walls are continually before me. 1
17Your children are hurrying back, while those who destroyed you are going away. 1
18Look around and see, they are all gathering and coming to you. 1 As surely as I live—this is Yahweh's declaration—you will surely wear them like jewelry, and you will put them on like a bride. 1
19Though you were a waste and desolate, a land that was in ruins, 1 now you will be too small for the inhabitants, and those who devoured you will be far away. 1
20The children born during the time of your bereavement will say in your hearing, 1 'The place is too cramped for us, make room for us, so we may live here.' 1
21Then you will ask yourself, 'Who has borne these children for me? 1 I was bereaved and barren, exiled and divorced. Who has raised these children? 1 Look, I was left all alone; where did these come from?'” 1
22This is what the Lord Yahweh says, 1 “Look, I will raise my hand to the nations; I will raise my signal flag to the peoples. 1 They will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders. 1
23Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursemaids; 1 they will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; 1 and you will know that I am Yahweh; those who wait for me will not be put to shame.” 1
24Can the spoils be taken from the warrior, or captives be rescued from the fierce? + 49:24 Instead of from the fierce , the Hebrew text has from the righteous , but most modern versions correct it to from the fierce . 1
25But this is what Yahweh says, 1 “Yes, the captives will be taken away from the warrior, and spoils will be rescued; 1 for I will oppose your adversary and save your children. 1
26I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh; and they will get drunk on their own blood, as if it were wine. 1 Then all mankind will know that I, Yahweh, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”