1. Listen to me, you coastlands!Pay attention, you people who live far away!The Lord summoned me from birth;he commissioned me when my mother brought me into the world.
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 –