1But now, Yahweh, who created you, Jacob, and who formed you, Israel, says: 'Don’t be afraid, for I have rescued you. I have called you by name; you are mine.'
2When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not scorch you.
3For I am Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as payment for your freedom, and Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and I love you, I will give people in your place, and nations in exchange for your life.
5Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
6I 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—
7everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed, and whom I made.”
8Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf people who have ears.
9Let all the nations gather, and let the people assemble. Who among them can announce this, and show us past events? Let them bring their witnesses to prove they are right; or let them listen and say, “That is true.”
10“You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, “along with my servant 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 any after me.
11I myself am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior.”
12“I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown; and there was no foreign god among you. Therefore you are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, “and I am God.
13Yes, from the very first day I am he; and no one can rescue from my hand. I will work, and who can stop it?”
14Yahweh, 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 refugees, even the Chaldeans, in the ships they rejoiced in.
15I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.”
16Yahweh, who makes a way through the sea, and a path through the mighty waters, says:
17He brings out chariots and horses, the army and skilled warriors (they lie down together, they will not rise; they are extinguished, put out like a wick).
18“Don’t remember the past; don’t think about old events.
19Look, I am doing a new thing! It is springing up right now. Don’t you recognize it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
20The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen ones,
21the people I created for myself, so they could declare my praise.
22Yet, Jacob, you haven’t called on me. Instead, Israel, you have grown tired of me.
23You haven’t brought me your sheep for burnt offerings, nor have you honored me with your sacrifices. I haven’t burdened you by demanding offerings, or wearied you by asking for frankincense.
24You haven’t bought me any sweet cane with money, nor satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your wrongdoing.
25I—yes, I myself—am the one who wipes away your wrongdoings for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26Remind me of my promises. Let’s discuss this together. Present your case so you can be proven right.
27Your first ancestor sinned, and your religious leaders have rebelled against me.
28Therefore, I will treat the leaders of the temple as unholy. I will make Jacob a curse and Israel an insult.”