Isaiah 43

1Now thus says Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name—you are mine.

2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; through the rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.

3For I am Yahweh your God, Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in your place.

4Because you were precious and honored in my eyes, and I have loved you, I will give people in your place and nations instead of your life.

5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east and gather you from the west.

6I will say to the north, “Release them,” and to the south, “Do not withhold them; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.”

7Everyone called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed—yes, whom I made.

8Lead out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.

9Let all nations gather together, and peoples assemble. Who among them announces this and declares the former things to us? Let them bring their witnesses to justify themselves, or hear and say, "Truth."

10You are my witnesses, declares Yahweh, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, nor will any be after me.

11I myself am Yahweh, and there is no savior apart from me.

12I announced, saved, and revealed when there was no foreign god among you; therefore you are my witnesses, says Yahweh, and I am God.

13Even from the day I am he, and there is no deliverer from my hand. I will act, and who will turn it back?

14Thus says Yahweh, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon and brought them all down as fugitives, the Chaldeans in the ships of their joy.

15I am Yahweh, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King.

16Thus says Yahweh, who makes a way in the sea and a path through mighty waters.

17who brings out chariot and horse, army and mighty—they lie down together, they will not rise; they are extinguished, quenched like a wick.

18Do not remember the former things, nor consider the ancient things.

19Look, I am doing a new thing; now it will sprout—do you not know it? I will even set a path in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

20The beasts of the field will honor me, jackals and daughters of the ostrich, because I have given waters in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

21This people whom I formed for myself will declare my praise.

22You have not called me, Jacob, because you have grown weary of me, Israel.

23You have not brought me sheep for your burnt offerings, nor glorified me with your sacrifices. I have not forced you into service with a grain offering, nor worn you out with incense.

24You have not bought cane for me with silver, nor satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have burdened me with your sins, wearied me with your iniquities.

25I myself am the one who wipes away your transgressions for my sake, and I will not remember your sins.

26Remind me. Let us be judged together. You declare it, so that you may be justified.

27Your first father sinned, and your spokesmen rebelled against me.

28I defiled the chiefs of the sanctuary and devoted Jacob to destruction, Israel to taunts.