1 Descendants of Jacob,I, the Lord, created youand formed your nation.Israel, don't be afraid.I have rescued you.I have called you by name;now you belong to me.
2 When you cross deep rivers,I will be with you,and you won't drown.When you walk through fire,you won't be burntor scorched by the flames.
3 I am the Lord, your God,the Holy One of Israel,the God who saves you.I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia,and the region of Sebain exchange for you.
4 To me, you are very dear,and I love you.That's why I gave up nationsand people to rescue you.
5 Don't be afraid! I am with you.From both east and westI will bring you together.
6 I will say to the northand to the south,“Free my sons and daughters!Let them returnfrom distant lands.
7 They are my people—I created each of themto bring honour to me.”
8 Bring my people together.They have eyes and ears,but they can't see or hear.
9 Tell everyone of every nationto gather around.None of them can honestly say,“We told you so!”If someone heard them say this,then tell us about it now.
10 My people, you are my witnessesand my chosen servant.I want you to know me,to trust me, and understandthat I alone am God.I have always been God;there can be no others.
11 I alone am the Lord;only I can rescue you.
12 I promised to save you,and I kept my promise.You are my witnessesthat no other god did this.I, the Lord, have spoken.
13 I am God now and for ever.No one can snatch you from meor stand in my way.
14 I, the Lord, will rescue you!I am Israel's holy God,and this is my promise:For your sake, I will sendan army against Babylonto drag its people away,crying as they go.
15 I am the Lord, your holy God,Israel's Creator and King.
16 I am the one who cut a paththrough the mighty ocean.
17 I sent an army to chase youwith chariots and horses;now they lie dead,unable to move.They are like an oil lampwith the flame snuffed out.
18 Forget what happened long ago!Don't think about the past.
19 I am creating something new.There it is! Do you see it?I have put roads in deserts,streams in thirsty lands.
20 Every wild animal honours me,even jackals and owls.I provide water in deserts—streams in thirsty landsfor my chosen people.
21 I made them my own nation,so they would praise me.
22 I, the Lord, said to Israel:You have become weary,but not from worshipping me.
23 You have not honoured meby sacrificing sheepor other animals.And I have not burdened youwith demands for sacrificesor sweet-smelling incense.
24 You have not broughtdelicious spices for meor given me the best partof your sacrificed animals.Instead, you burden me downwith your terrible sins.
25 But I wipe away your sinsbecause of who I am.And so, I will forgetthe wrongs you have done.
26 Meet me in court!State your case and provethat you are right.
27 Your earliest ancestorand all your leadersrebelled against me.
28 That's why I don't allowyour priests to serve me;I let Israel be destroyedand your people disgraced.