IsaiahChapter 49

Tap any verse to comment or suggest a better wording.

¹Listen to me, you islands.
Pay attention, you peoples far away.
The LORD called me from the womb.
While I was inside my mother, he spoke my name. ²He made my mouth like a sharp sword.
He hid me in the shadow of his hand.
He made me like a polished arrow.
He hid me in his bag of arrows. ³He said to me, "You are my Servant, Israel.
I will show my glory through you." ⁴But I said, "I have worked for nothing.
I have used up my strength for nothing at all.
Yet the LORD will prove I am right.
My reward is with my God." ⁵And now the LORD speaks.
He formed me in the womb to be his Servant.
He formed me to bring Jacob back to him,
so that Israel would be gathered to him.
For I am honored in the LORD's eyes,
and my God is my strength. ⁶He says, "It is too small a thing for you just to be my Servant,
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to bring back the ones of Israel I have kept safe.
I will also make you a light for the nations.
You will bring my saving help to the ends of the earth." ⁷This is what the LORD says,
the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel.
He speaks to the one the nation hated and looked down on,
the servant of rulers:
"Kings will see you and stand up.
Princes will bow down.
They will do it because of the LORD, who is faithful,
the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." ⁸This is what the LORD says:
"At the time I show favor, I will answer you.
On the day of saving, I will help you.
I will keep you and make you a covenant for the people.
You will bring the land back.
You will give out again the lands that lie empty. ⁹You will say to the prisoners, 'Come out.'
You will say to those in darkness, 'Show yourselves.'
They will find food along the roads.
They will find pasture on every bare hill. ¹⁰They will not be hungry or thirsty.
The burning heat and sun will not beat down on them.
For the one who has mercy on them will guide them.
He will lead them beside springs of water. ¹¹I will turn all my mountains into roads.
My highways will be built up. ¹²Look, they will come from far away.
They will come from the north and from the west.
They will come from the land of Aswan." ¹³Shout for joy, you heavens.
Be glad, earth.
Burst into song, you mountains!
For the LORD has comforted his people.
He will show love and mercy to his suffering ones. ¹⁴But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me.
The Lord has forgotten me!" ¹⁵"Can a mother forget the baby nursing at her breast?
Can she have no love for the son she gave birth to?
Even if she could forget,
I will not forget you! ¹⁶Look, I have carved you on the palms of my hands.
Your walls are always in front of me. ¹⁷Your builders hurry back.
Those who tore you down and ruined you
are going away from you. ¹⁸Look up and look all around.
They are all gathering together.
They are coming to you.
As surely as I live," says the LORD,
"you will wear them all like jewelry.
You will put them on like a bride. ¹⁹For your land was ruined and empty and torn apart.
But now it will be too small for your people.
Those who swallowed you up will be far away. ²⁰The children born while you were grieving
will say where you can hear them,
'This place is too small for us.
Make room for us to live here.' ²¹Then you will say to yourself,
'Who gave birth to these for me?
My children were taken, and I could not have more.
I was taken away and sent off.
So who raised these children?
Look, I was left all alone.
So where did these come from?'" ²²This is what the Lord GOD says:
"Look, I will lift up my hand to the nations.
I will raise my flag for the peoples to see.
They will bring your sons in their arms.
They will carry your daughters on their shoulders. ²³Kings will take care of your children like fathers.
Their queens will nurse them like mothers.
They will bow before you with their faces to the ground.
They will lick the dust at your feet.
Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Those who hope in me will never be put to shame." ²⁴Can the loot be taken away from a mighty soldier?
Can the captives of a cruel ruler be set free? ²⁵Yes! This is what the LORD says:
"Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away.
The loot of the cruel ruler will be taken back.
I will fight those who fight you.
I will save your children. ²⁶I will make those who hurt you eat their own flesh.
They will be drunk on their own blood, as if it were wine.
Then all people will know
that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer,
the Mighty One of Jacob."