Isaiah 43
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—the one who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: “Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flame will not consume you.
3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as the price of your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes, honored, and I love you, I give people in your place and nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your descendants 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 far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth.’
7 Everyone called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and also made.
8 Bring out the people who are blind, though they have eyes, and the deaf, though they have ears.
9 Let all the nations gather together, let the peoples assemble. Which of them can declare this and tell us what happened long ago? Let them present their witnesses and prove their case; let them hear and say, ‘It is true.’
10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am the same. Before me no god was formed, and after me there will be none.
11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.
12 I declared, I saved, I made it known, and there was no foreign god among you. “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and I am God.
13 From of old I am the same, and no one can rescue anyone from my hand. I act, and who can undo it?”
14 This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I have sent to Babylon and brought them all down as fugitives—the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they shouted for joy.”
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
16 This is what the LORD says, who makes a way in the sea and a path through mighty waters,
17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior. They lie down together and do not rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick.
18 Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old.
19 Look, I am doing something new; it is already springing up. Do you not perceive it? Yes, I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20 The wild animals will honor me, jackals and ostriches, because I put water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen ones.
21 This people whom I formed for myself will declare my praise.
22 But you have not called on me, Jacob; you have grown weary of me, Israel.
23 You have not brought me sheep for your burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not made you serve with grain offerings or wearied you with incense.
24 You have not bought fragrant cane for me with money, nor satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead, you have made me serve with your sins and wearied me with your guilt.
25 I, I am the one who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26 Remind me; let us reason together. Give your account, so that you may be proved right.
27 Your first father sinned, and your interpreters rebelled against me.
28 So I profaned the leaders of the sanctuary, handed Jacob over to destruction, and Israel to insults.
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