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.
9. You will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’and to those who are in dark dungeons, ‘Emerge.’They will graze beside the roads;on all the slopes they will find pasture.
10. They will not be hungry or thirsty;the sun’s oppressive heat will not beat down on them, for one who has compassion on them will guide them;he will lead them to springs of water.
11. I will make all my mountains into a road;I will construct my roadways.”
12. Look, they come from far away!Look, some come from the north and west,and others from the land of Sinim!
13. Shout for joy, O sky!Rejoice, O earth!Let the mountains give a joyful shout!For the Lord consoles his peopleand shows compassion to the oppressed.
14. “Zion said, ‘The Lord has abandoned me,the sovereign master has forgotten me.’
15. Can a woman forget her baby who nurses at her breast?Can she withhold compassion from the child she has borne?Even if mothers were to forget,I could never forget you!