2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword,he hid me in the hollow of his hand;he made me like a sharpened arrow,he hid me in his quiver.
3 He said to me, “You are my servant,Israel, through whom I will reveal my splendor.”
4 But I thought, “I have worked in vain;I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.”But the Lord will vindicate me;my God will reward me.
5 So now the Lord says,the one who formed me from birth to be his servant – he did this to restore Jacob to himself,so that Israel might be gathered to him;and I will be honored in the Lord’s sight,for my God is my source of strength –
6 he says, “Is it too insignificant a task for you to be my servant,to reestablish the tribes of Jacob,and restore the remnant of Israel?I will make you a light to the nations,so you can bring my deliverance to the remote regions of the earth.”
7 This is what the Lord,the protector of Israel, their Holy One, saysto the one who is despised and rejected by nations,a servant of rulers:“Kings will see and rise in respect,princes will bow down,because of the faithful Lord,the Holy One of Israel who has chosen you.”
8 This is what the Lord says:“At the time I decide to show my favor, I will respond to you;in the day of deliverance I will help you;I will protect you and make you a covenant mediator for people,to rebuild the landand to reassign the desolate property.