3 He chases them and is never hurt,going places he has never been before.
4 Who caused this to happen?Who has controlled history since the beginning?I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning,and I will be here when all things are finished.”
5 All you faraway places, look and be afraid;all you places far away on the earth, shake with fear.Come close and listen to me.
6 The workers help each otherand say to each other, “Be strong!”
7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith,and the workman who smooths the metal with a hammer encourages the one who shapes the metal.He says, “This metal work is good.”He nails the statue to a base so it can’t fall over.
8 The Lord says, “People of Israel, you are my servants.People of Jacob, I chose you.You are from the family of my friend Abraham.
9 I took you from places far away on the earthand called you from a faraway country.I said, ‘You are my servants.’I have chosen you and have not turned against you.