The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 43 Only God Rescues Israel

 The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 43

Only God Rescues Israel

1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, and who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you; when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame scorch you.

3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you.

4 While you were precious in My sight, you were also glorified, and I loved you; therefore I gave men in exchange for you, and peoples in exchange for your life.

5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give,' and to the north, 'Give.' and to the South: Do not hold back; bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

7 All who are called by my name, and whom I created for my glory—I formed them, yes, I made them.

8 Bring out the blind people, who have eyes; and the deaf, who have ears.

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled; who among them can declare this, or make us hear the things of old? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, and that people may hear and say, 'It is true.'

10 You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he, and before me no god was formed, nor will there be any after me.

11 I, even I, am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior. 

12 I have declared, and I have saved, and I have made it heard, and there was no strange god among you; therefore you are my witnesses, declares the Lord; I am God.

13 Even before the day began, I am, and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can stop it?

14 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them like fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships in which they boasted.

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

16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17 Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the force: they have lain down together, and shall not rise; they are extinguished, like a wick they are snuffed out. 

18 Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing, and now it will spring forth; will you not know it? Behold, I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beasts of the field will serve me, the dragons and the young ostriches. For I will give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen ones.

21 This people I formed for myself, that they might give me praise.

22 Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob, but you were weary of me, O Israel.

23 You did not bring me the flock of your burnt offerings, nor honor me with your sacrifices; I did not make you serve with offerings, nor wearied you with incense. 

24 You did not buy me sweet cane with money, nor did you fill me with the fat of your sacrifices, but you made me toil with your sins, and wearied me with your iniquities.

25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

26 Remember me; let us plead together; give your reasons, that I may justify you.

27 Your first father sinned, and your interpreters transgressed against me.

28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and I will make Jacob a cursed thing, and Israel a reproach.