1Descendants of Jacob, I, the Lord, created you and formed your nation. Israel, don't be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me.Notes
2When you cross deep rivers, I will be with you, and you won't drown. When you walk through fire, you won't be burned or scorched by the flames.
3I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, the God who saves you. I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia, and the region of Seba in exchange for you.
4To me, you are very dear, and I love you. That's why I gave up nations and people to rescue you.
5Don't be afraid! I am with you. From both east and west I will bring you together.
6I will say to the north and to the south, “Free my sons and daughters! Let them return from distant lands.
7They are my people— I created each of them to bring honor to me.”
8Bring my people together. They have eyes and ears, but they can't see or hear.
9Tell everyone of every nation to gather around. None of them can honestly say, “We told you so!” If someone heard them say this, then tell us about it now.
10My people, you are my witnesses and my chosen servant. I want you to know me, to trust me, and understand that I alone am God. I have always been God; there can be no others.Notes
12I promised to save you, and I kept my promise. You are my witnesses that no other god did this. I, the Lord, have spoken.
13I am God now and forever. No one can snatch you from me or stand in my way.
14I, the Lord, will rescue you! I am Israel's holy God, and this is my promise: For your sake, I will send an army against Babylon to drag its people away, crying as they go.
15I am the Lord, your holy God, Israel's Creator and King.
16I am the one who cut a path through the mighty ocean.Notes
17I sent an army to chase you with chariots and horses; now they lie dead, unable to move. They are like an oil lamp with the flame snuffed out.
18Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past.Notes
19I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands.
20Every wild animal honors me, even jackals and owls. I provide water in deserts— streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people.
21I made them my own nation, so they would praise me.
22I, the Lord, said to Israel: You have become weary of me, but not from worshiping me.
23You have not honored me by sacrificing sheep or other animals. And I have not burdened you with demands for sacrifices or sweet-smelling incense.
24You have not brought delicious spices for me or given me the best part of your sacrificed animals. Instead, you burden me down with your terrible sins.
25But I wipe away your sins because of who I am. And so, I will forget the wrongs you have done.
26Meet me in court! State your case and prove that you are right.
27Your earliest ancestor and all your leaders rebelled against me.
28That's why I don't allow your priests to serve me; I let Israel be destroyed and your people disgraced.
Contemporary English Version (2006) Tap a verse to copy, share, highlight or add a note. Dotted words link to encyclopedia articles.
28 verses in this chapter
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The text is Contemporary English Version (2006)(English) — Published under a copyright agreement with the Korean Bible Society — the text is copyright of the Korean Bible Society. Highlights, notes and read marks stay with the chapter whichever version you read. Dotted words are people, places and terms that have an encyclopedia article (marked once per page). Highlights, notes and read marks are saved only in this browser and gathered under My marks.