1. Coastlands, listen to me;distant peoples, pay attention.The Lord called me before I was born.He named me while I was in my mother’s womb.
2. He made my words like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow 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; I will be glorified in him.”
4. But I myself said: I have labored in vain,I have spent my strength for nothing and futility;yet my vindication is with the Lord,and my reward is with my God.
5. And now, says the Lord,who formed me from the womb to be His Servant,to bring Jacob back to Himso that Israel might be gathered to Him;for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,and my God is my strength —
6. He says,“It is not enough for you to be My Servantraising up the tribes of Jacoband restoring the protected ones of Israel.I will also make you a light for the nations, to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
7. This is what the Lord,the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, saysto one who is despised,to one abhorred by people, to a servant of rulers:“Kings will see and stand up,and princes will bow down,because of the Lord, who is faithful,the Holy One of Israel — and He has chosen you.”
8. This is what the Lord says:I will answer you in a time of favor,and I will help you in the day of salvation. I will keep you, and I will appoint youto be a covenant for the people, to restore the land,to make them possess the desolate inheritances,
9. saying to the prisoners: Come out, and to those who are in darkness: Show yourselves.They will feed along the pathways,and their pastures will be on all the barren heights.
10. They will not hunger or thirst,the scorching heat or sun will not strike them;for their compassionate One will guide them,and lead them to springs of water.