Isaiah 43:18–44:5

18 “But forget all that—

it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

19 For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,

the jackals and owls, too,

for giving them water in the desert.

Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland

so my chosen people can be refreshed.

21 I have made Israel for myself,

and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

22 “But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.

You have grown tired of me, O Israel!

23 You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings.

You have not honored me with sacrifices,

though I have not burdened and wearied you

with requests for grain offerings and frankincense.

24 You have not brought me fragrant calamus

or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices.

Instead, you have burdened me with your sins

and wearied me with your faults.

25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake

and will never think of them again.

26 Let us review the situation together,

and you can present your case to prove your innocence.

27 From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me;

all your leaders broke my laws.

28 That is why I have disgraced your priests;

I have decreed complete destruction* for Jacob

and shame for Israel.

Chapter 44

1 “But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant,

Israel my chosen one.

2 The Lord who made you and helps you says:

Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant,

O dear Israel,* my chosen one.

3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst

and to irrigate your parched fields.

And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants,

and my blessing on your children.

4 They will thrive like watered grass,

like willows on a riverbank.

5 Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the Lord.’

Others will say, ‘I am a descendant of Jacob.’

Some will write the Lord’s name on their hands

and will take the name of Israel as their own.”