3 He chases them, marching by safelyon a path his feet have never traveled before.
4 Who has accomplished this?Who has determined the course of history from the beginning?I, the Lord, was there first, and I will be there to the end.I am the one!”
5 The coastlands have seen him and are afraid.The ends of the earth tremble.They have come near and gathered together.
6 People help their neighborsand say to their relatives, “Be brave!”
7 Craftsmen encourage goldsmiths.Metalsmiths encourage blacksmiths who work at their anvils.They say that their soldering is good.And they fasten things with nails so they won’t move.
8 “But you are my servant Israel,Jacob, whom I have chosen,the descendant of Abraham, my dear friend.
9 I have taken you from the ends of the earthand called you from its most distant places.I said to you, ‘You are my servant.I’ve chosen you; I haven’t rejected you.’