Study Desk

Now this is what the Lord says— the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel^(a)— "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;^(b) I have called you by your name; you are Mine.^(c)

I will be with you^(d) when you pass through the waters,^(e) and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire,^(f) and the flame will not burn you.

For I Yahweh your God,^(g) the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior,^(h) give Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place.

Because you are precious in My sight⁽ⁱ⁾ and honored, and I love you,^(j) I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.

Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east,^(k) and gather you from the west.^(l)

I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Do not hold them back! Bring My sons from far away,^(m) and My daughters from the ends of the earth⁽ⁿ⁾—

everyone called by My name and created for My glory. I have formed him; indeed, I have made him."

Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes,^(o) and are deaf, yet have ears.

All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled.^(p) Who among them can declare this,^(q) and tell us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate themselves, so that people may hear and say, "It is true."

"You are My witnesses"^(r)— this is the Lord 's declaration— "and My servant whom I have chosen,^(s) so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He.^(t) No god was formed before Me, and there will be none after Me.^(u)

I, I am Yahweh, and there is no other Savior but Me.^(v)

I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed— and not some foreign god^[a] among you. So you are My witnesses"— this is the Lord 's declaration— "and^[b] I am God.^(w)

Also, from today on I am He alone, and none can deliver from My hand.^(x) I act, and who can reverse it?"^(y)

This is what the Lord , your Redeemer,^(z) the Holy One of Israel^(aa) says: Because of you, I will send to Babylon and bring all of them as fugitives,^[c] even the Chaldeans^(ab) in the ships in which they rejoice.^[d]

I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.

This is what the Lord says— who makes a way in the sea, and a path through surging waters,^(ac)

who brings out the chariot and horse,^(ad) the army and the mighty one together (they lie down, they do not rise again; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick^(ae))—

"Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old.^(af)

Look, I am about to do something new;^(ag) even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness,^(ah) rivers^[e] in the desert.

The animals of the field will honor Me, jackals and ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert,^(ai) to give drink to My chosen people.

The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.^(aj)

"But Jacob, you have not called on Me, because, Israel, you have become weary of Me.^(ak)

You have not brought Me your sheep for burnt offerings or honored Me with your sacrifices.^(al) I have not burdened you with offerings or wearied you with incense.^[f]

You have not bought Me aromatic cane with silver, or satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me^(am) with your iniquities.^(an)

"It is I who sweep away your transgressions^(ao) for My own sake^(ap) and remember your sins no more.^(aq)

Take Me to court; let us argue our case together.^(ar) State your case, so that you may be vindicated.

Your first father sinned,^(as) and your mediators have rebelled against Me.^(at)

So I defiled the officers of the sanctuary, and set Jacob apart for destruction^(au) and Israel for abuse.