Isaiah 43

1But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel says: I have called you by your name. You are mine. “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. 2and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. and flame will not scorch you. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, 3the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Ethiopia and Seba in your place. For I am Yahweh your God, I have given Egypt as your ransom, 4and I have loved you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, 5* from the east, and gather you from the west. Don’t be afraid; for I am with you. 6and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth— I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ 7and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’” everyone who is called by my name, 8and the deaf who have ears. Bring out the blind people who have eyes, 9and let the peoples be assembled. and show us former things? or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” Let all the nations be gathered together, Who among them can declare this, Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; 10“With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. neither will there be after me. “You are my witnesses,” says Yahweh, Before me there was no God formed, 11and besides me there is no savior. I myself am Yahweh; 12and there was no strange god among you. says Yahweh, “and I am God. I have declared, I have saved, and I have shown; Therefore you are my witnesses”, 13and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?” Yes, since the day was I am he; 14Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel says: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. 15I am Yahweh, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16and a path in the mighty waters says: Yahweh, who makes a way in the sea, 17the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick): who brings out the chariot and horse, 18and don’t consider the things of old. “Don’t remember the former things, 19It springs out now. Don’t you know it? and rivers in the desert. Behold, I will do a new thing. I will even make a way in the wilderness, 20the jackals and the ostriches; to give drink to my people, my chosen, The animals of the field shall honor me, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, 21the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my praise. 22but you have been weary of me, Israel. Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; 23neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. nor wearied you with frankincense. You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings; I have not burdened you with offerings, 24nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices; You have wearied me with your iniquities. You have bought me no sweet cane with money, but you have burdened me with your sins. 25and I will not remember your sins. I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; 26Let us plead together. that you may be justified. Put me in remembrance. Declare your case, 27and your teachers have transgressed against me. Your first father sinned, 28and I will make Jacob a curse, and Israel an insult.” Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary;