Isaiah 49:7–9

7 This is what the Lord,

the Redeemerh of Israel, his Holy One, says

to one who is despised,

to one abhorred by people,A,i

to a servant of rulers:

“Kings will see, princes will stand up,

and theyB will all bow down

because of the Lord, who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israelj—and he has chosen you.”k

8 This is what the Lord says:

I will answer you in a time of favor,

and I will help you in the day of salvation.l

I will keep you, and I will appoint you

to be a covenant for the people,m

to restore the land,

to make them possess the desolate inheritances,

9 saying to the prisoners, “Come out,”n

and to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”

They will feed along the pathways,

and their pastures will be on all the barren heights.o