New Living Translation
Isaiah • Chapter 43
1
But now, O Jacob, listen to the LORD who created you.<br>O Israel, the one who formed you says,<br>“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.<br>I have called you by name; you are mine.<br>
2
When you go through deep waters,<br>I will be with you.<br>When you go through rivers of difficulty,<br>you will not drown.<br>When you walk through the fire of oppression,<br>you will not be burned up;<br>the flames will not consume you.<br>
3
For I am the LORD, your God (Elohim),<br>the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.<br>I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;<br>I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place.<br>
4
Others were given in exchange for you.<br>I traded their lives for yours<br>because you are precious to me.<br>You are honored, and I love you.<br>
5
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you.<br>I will gather you and your children from east and west.<br>
6
I will say to the north and south,<br>‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel<br>from the distant corners of the earth.<br>
7
Bring all who claim me as their God (Elohim),<br>for I have made them for my glory.<br>It was I who created them.’”<br>
8
Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,<br>who have ears but are deaf.<br>
9
Gather the nations together!<br>Assemble the peoples of the world!<br>Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?<br>Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?<br>Where are the witnesses of such predictions?<br>Who can verify that they spoke the truth?<br>
10
“But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the LORD.<br>“You are my servant.<br>You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,<br>and understand that I alone am God (Elohim).<br>There is no other God (Elohim) —<br>there never has been, and there never will be.<br>
11
I, yes I, am the LORD,<br>and there is no other Savior.<br>
12
First I predicted your rescue,<br>then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.<br>No foreign god has ever done this.<br>You are witnesses that I am the only God (Elohim),”<br>says the LORD.<br>
13
“From eternity to eternity I am God (Elohim).<br>No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.<br>No one can undo what I have done.”<br>
14
This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,<br>forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.<br>
15
I am the LORD, your Holy One,<br>Israel’s Creator and King.<br>
16
I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters,<br>making a dry path through the sea.<br>
17
I called forth the mighty army of Egypt<br>with all its chariots and horses.<br>I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,<br>their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.<br>
18
“But forget all that —<br>it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.<br>
19
For I am about to do something new.<br>See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?<br>I will make a pathway through the wilderness.<br>I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.<br>
20
The wild animals in the fields will thank me,<br>the jackals and owls, too,<br>for giving them water in the desert.<br>Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland<br>so my chosen people can be refreshed.<br>
21
I have made Israel for myself,<br>and they will someday honor me before the whole world.<br>
22
“But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.<br>You have grown tired of me, O Israel!<br>
23
You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings.<br>You have not honored me with sacrifices,<br>though I have not burdened and wearied you<br>with requests for grain offerings and frankincense.<br>
24
You have not brought me fragrant calamus<br>or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices.<br>Instead, you have burdened me with your sins<br>and wearied me with your faults.<br>
25
“I — yes, I alone — will blot out your sins for my own sake<br>and will never think of them again.<br>
26
Let us review the situation together,<br>and you can present your case to prove your innocence.<br>
27
From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me;<br>all your leaders broke my laws.<br>
28
That is why I have disgraced your priests;<br>I have decreed complete destruction for Jacob<br>and shame for Israel.<br>