Isaiah 43

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you! O Israel, the
One who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you
I have called you by name; you are mine! When you go through deep
Waters, I will be with you; when you go through rivers of difficulty
You will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression
You will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am
The Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt
As a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place

Others were given in exchange for you; I traded their lives for yours
Because you are precious to me, you are honored, and I love you. Do
Not be afraid, for I am with you; I will gather you and your children
From east and west; I will say to the north and south, 'Bring my sons
And daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth
Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my
Glory; it was I who created them.' Bring out the people who have eyes

But are blind, who have ears but are deaf. Gather the nations

Together; assemble the peoples of the world! Which of their idols

Has ever foretold such things? Which can predict what will happen

Tomorrow? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify
That they spoke the truth? But you are my witnesses, O Israel!" says
The Lord. "You are my servant; you have been chosen to know me
Believe in me and understand that I alone am God. There is no other
God; there never has been and there never will be. I, yes, I am the
Lord, and there is no other Savior. First I predicted your
Rescue; then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world
No foreign god has ever done this. You are witnesses that
I am the only God," says the Lord. "From eternity to eternity
I am God! No one can snatch anyone out of my hand; no one

Can undo what I have done." The Lord's Promise of Victory

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "

For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon, forcing the

Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of. I am the

Lord, your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King. I am the Lord who

Opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea

I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and
Horses; I drew them beneath the waves and they drowned, their lives
Snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. But forget all that! It
Is nothing compared to what I am going to do, for I am about to do
Something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will
Make a pathway through the wilderness; I will create rivers in the
Dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the
Jackals and owls too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes
I will make rivers in the dry wasteland, so my chosen people can be
Refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday

Honor me before the whole world. But, dear family of Jacob, you

Refused to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me, O Israel!

You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings; you have

Not honored me with sacrifices, though I have not burdened and

Wearied you with requests for grain offerings and frankincense. You
Have not brought me fragrant calamus or pleased me with the fat from
Sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied
Me with your faults. I, yes, I alone will blot out your sins for my
Own sake and will never think of them again. Let us review the
Situation together, and you can present your case to
Prove your innocence. From the very beginning, your first
Ancestors sinned against me; all your leaders broke my laws
That is why I have disgraced your priests; I have decreed
Complete destruction for Jacob and shame for Israel."