1. Listen to me, all you in distant lands!Pay attention, you who are far away!The lord called me before my birth;from within the womb he called me by name.
2. He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword.He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.
3. He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,and you will bring me glory.”
4. I replied, “But my work seems so useless!I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.Yet I leave it all in the lord’s hand;I will trust God for my reward.”