CHAPTER 43
Now
this is what
the LORD
says—
He who created you,
O Jacob,
and He who formed you,
O Israel:
“Do not
fear,
for
I have redeemed you;
I have called
you by your name;
you are Mine!
When
you pass
through the waters,
I
will be with you;
and when you go through the rivers,
they will not
overwhelm you.
When
you walk
through
the fire,
you will not
be scorched,
and the flames
will not
set you ablaze.
For
I am
the LORD
your God,
the Holy
One of Israel,
your Savior;
I give
Egypt
for your ransom,
Cush
and Seba
in your place.
Because
you are precious
and honored
in My sight,
and because I
love you,
I will give
men
in exchange for you
and nations
in place of
your life.
Do not
be afraid,
for
I
am with you;
I will bring
your offspring
from the east,
and gather you
from the west.
I will say
to the north,
‘Give them up!’
and to the south,
‘Do not
hold them back!’
Bring
My sons
from afar,
and My daughters
from the ends
of the earth—
All
the nations
gather
together
and the peoples
assemble.
Who
among them
have declared
this,
and foretold
the former things?
Let them present
their witnesses
to vindicate themselves,
so that others may hear
and say,
“It is true.”
“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 He.
Before Me,
no
god
was formed,
and none
will come
after Me.
I
alone decreed
and saved
and proclaimed—
I, and not
some foreign god among you.
So you
are My witnesses,”
declares
the LORD,
“that I
am God.
Even
from eternity
I am
He,
and none
can deliver
out of My hand.
When I act,
who
can reverse it?”
Thus
says
the LORD
your Redeemer,
the Holy
One of Israel:
“For your sake,
I will send
to Babylon
and bring
them all
as fugitives,
even the Chaldeans,
in the ships
in which they rejoice.
who brings out
the chariots
and horses,
the armies
and warriors
together,
to lie down
and never
rise again,
to be extinguished,
quenched
like a wick—
Behold,
I am about to do
something new;
even now
it is coming.
Do you not
see it?
Indeed,
I will make
a way
in the wilderness
and streams
in the desert.
The animals
of the field
will honor Me,
the jackals
and the owls,
because
I provide
water
in the wilderness,
and rivers
in the desert,
to give drink
to My chosen
people.
You have not
brought
Me
sheep
for burnt offerings,
nor honored Me
with your sacrifices.
I have not
burdened you
with offerings,
nor
wearied
you with incense.
You have bought
Me
no
sweet cane
with your silver,
nor have you
satisfied Me
with the fat
of your sacrifices.
But
you have burdened
Me with your sins;
you have wearied
Me with your iniquities.
I,
yes I,
am He who
blots out
your transgressions
for My own sake
and remembers
your sins
no more.
So I will disgrace
the princes
of your sanctuary,
and consign
Jacob
to destruction
and Israel
to reproach.