RESTORATION OF ISRAEL

43 Now this is what the Lord says—

the one who created you, Jacob,

and the one who formed you, Israela—

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;b

I have called you by your name; you are mine.c

2 When you pass through the waters,e

I will be with youd

and the rivers will not overwhelm you,

When you walk through the fire,f

you will not be scorched

and the flame will not burn you.

3 For I am the Lord your God,g

the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.h

I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,

Cush and Seba in your place.

4 Because you are precious in my sighti

and honored, and I love you,j

I will give people in exchange for you

and nations instead of your life.

5 Do not fear, for I am with you;

I will bring your descendants from the east,k

and gather you from the west.l

6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’

Bring my sons from far away,m

and my daughters from the ends of the earthn—

7 everyone who bears my name

and is created for my glory.

I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

8 Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes,o

and are deaf, yet have ears.

9 All the nations are gathered together,

and the peoples are assembled.p

Who among them can declare this,q

and tell us the former things?

Let them present their witnesses

to vindicate themselves,

so that people may hear and say, “It is true.”

10 “You are my witnesses”r—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

“and my servant whom I have chosen,s

so that you may know and believe me

and understand that I am he.t

No god was formed before me,

and there will be none after me.u

11 I—I am the Lord.

Besides me, there is no Savior.v

12 I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed—

and not some foreign godA among you.

So you are my witnesses”—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

“andB I am God.w

13 Also, from today on I am he alone,

and none can rescue from my power.x

I act, and who can reverse it?”y