1 Has anyone believed usor seen the mighty powerof the Lord in action?
2 Like a young plant or a rootthat sprouts in dry ground,the servant grew upobeying the Lord.He wasn't some handsome king.Nothing about the way he lookedmade him attractive to us.
3 He was hated and rejected;his life was filled with sorrowand terrible suffering.No one wanted to look at him.We despised him and said,“He is a nobody!”
4 He suffered and enduredgreat pain for us,but we thought his sufferingwas punishment from God.
5 He was wounded and crushedbecause of our sins;by taking our punishment,he made us completely well.
6 All of us were like sheepthat had wandered off.We had each gone our own way,but the Lord gave himthe punishment we deserved.
7 He was painfully abused,but he did not complain.He was silent like a lambbeing led to the butcher,as quiet as a sheephaving its wool cut off.
8 He was condemned to deathwithout a fair trial.Who could have imaginedwhat would happen to him?His life was taken awaybecause of the sinful thingsmy people had done.
9 He wasn't dishonest or violent,but he was buried in a tombof cruel and rich people.
10 The Lord decided his servantwould suffer as a sacrificeto take away the sinand guilt of others.Now the servant will liveto see his own descendants.He did everythingthe Lord had planned.
11 By suffering, the servantwill learn the true meaningof obeying the Lord.Although he is innocent,he will take the punishmentfor the sins of others,so that many of themwill no longer be guilty.
12 The Lord will reward himwith honour and powerfor sacrificing his life.Others thought he was a sinner,but he suffered for our sinsand asked God to forgive us.