Chapter 43
1 But now the LORD who created you , Jacob , and he who formed you , Israel , says : "Don’t be afraid , for I have redeemed you . I have called you by your name . You are mine .
2 When you pass through the waters , I will be with you , and through the rivers , they will not overflow you . When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt , and flame will not scorch you .
3 For I am the LORD your God , the Holy One of Israel , your Saviour . I have given Egypt as your ransom , Ethiopia and Seba in your place .
4 Since you have been precious and honoured in my sight , and I have loved you , therefore I will give people in your place , and nations instead of your life .
5 Don’t be afraid , for I am with you . I will bring your offspring from the east , and gather you from the west .
6 I will tell the north , ‘ Give them up !’ and tell the south , ‘Don’t hold them back ! Bring my sons from far away , and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name , and whom I have created for my glory , whom I have formed , yes, whom I have made .’"
8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes , and the deaf who have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together , and let the peoples be assembled . Who amongst them can declare this , and show us former things ? Let them bring their witnesses , that they may be justified , or let them hear , and say, " That is true."
10 " You are my witnesses ," says the LORD , " With my servant whom I have chosen ; that you may know and believe me , and understand that I am he . Before me there was no God formed , neither will there be after me .
11 I myself am the LORD . Besides me , there is no saviour .
12 I have declared , I have saved , and I have shown , and there was no strange god amongst you . Therefore you are my witnesses ", says the LORD , " and I am God .
13 Yes , since the day was , I am he . There is no one who can deliver out of my hand . I will work , and who can hinder it ?"
14 The LORD , your Redeemer , the Holy One of Israel says : " For your sake , I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives , even the Chaldeans , in the ships of their rejoicing .
15 I am the LORD , your Holy One , the Creator of Israel , your King ."
16 The LORD , who makes a way in the sea , and a path in the mighty waters ,
17 who brings out the chariot and horse , the army and the mighty man ( they lie down together , they shall not rise ; they are extinct , they are quenched like a wick ) says:
18 "Don’t remember the former things , and don’t consider the things of old .
19 Behold , I will do a new thing . It springs out now . Don’t you know it ? I will even make a way in the wilderness , and rivers in the desert .
20 The animals of the field , the jackals and the ostriches , shall honour me , because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert , to give drink to my people , my chosen,
21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise .
22 Yet you have not called on me , Jacob ; but you have been weary of me , Israel .
23 You have not brought me any of your sheep for burnt offerings , neither have you honoured me with your sacrifices . I have not burdened you with offerings , nor wearied you with frankincense .
24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money , nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices , but you have burdened me with your sins . You have wearied me with your iniquities .
25 I , even I , am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake ; and I will not remember your sins .
26 Put me in remembrance . Let us plead together . Declare your case , that you may be justified .
27 Your first father sinned , and your teachers have transgressed against me .
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary ; and I will make Jacob a curse , and Israel an insult."