1 All of you people in faraway places, listen to me.Listen, all you nations far away.Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him.The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb.
2 He made my tongue like a sharp sword.He hid me in the shadow of his hand.He made me like a sharp arrow.He hid me in the holder for his arrows.
3 He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.I will show my glory through you.”
4 But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing;I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful.But the Lord will decide what my work is worth;God will decide my reward.”