Is 43:1-14

1But now, thus says the LORD,

who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name: you are mine.

2When you pass through waters, I will be with you;

through rivers, you shall not be swept away.

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned,

nor will flames consume you.

3For I, the LORD, am your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your savior.

I give Egypt as ransom for you,

Ethiopia and Seba^* in exchange for you.

4Because you are precious in my eyes

and honored, and I love you,

I give people in return for you

and nations in exchange for your life.^a

5Fear not, for I am with you;

from the east I will bring back your offspring,

from the west I will gather you.

6I will say to the north: Give them up!

and to the south: Do not hold them!

Bring back my sons from afar,

and my daughters from the ends of the earth:^b

7All who are called by my name

I created for my glory;

I formed them, made them.

8Lead out the people, blind though they have eyes,

deaf though they have ears.

9Let all the nations gather together,

let the peoples assemble!

Who among them could have declared this,

or announced to us the earlier things?^*

Let them produce witnesses to prove themselves right,

that one may hear and say, “It is true!”

10You are my witnesses^*—oracle of the LORD—

my servant whom I have chosen

To know and believe in me

and understand that I am he.

Before me no god was formed,

and after me there shall be none.

11I, I am the LORD;

there is no savior but me.

12It is I who declared, who saved,

who announced, not some strange god among you;

You are my witnesses—oracle of the LORD.

I am God,

13yes, from eternity I am he;

There is none who can deliver from my hand:

I act and who can cancel it?^c

14Thus says the LORD, your redeemer,^*

the Holy One of Israel:

For your sake I send to Babylon;

I will bring down all her defenses,

and the Chaldeans shall cry out in lamentation.