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Isaiah 49:3–4

And he said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, pin whom I will be glorified.”1

qBut I said, “I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my right is with the Lord,

and my recompense with my God.”

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Isaiah 49:3–4 — The New International Version (NIV)

He said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”

But I said, “I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing at all.

Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,

and my reward is with my God.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

And said unto me, Thou art my servant,

O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

Then I said, I have laboured in vain,

I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain:

Yet surely my judgment is with the Lord,

And my work with my God.

Isaiah 49:3–4 — New Living Translation (NLT)

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,

and you will bring me glory.”

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.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

“And He said to me,

‘You are My servant, O Israel,

In whom I will be glorified.’

Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain;

Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord,

And my work with my God.’ ”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — New Century Version (NCV)

He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.

I will show my glory through you.”

But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing;

I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful.

But the Lord will decide what my work is worth;

God will decide my reward.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — American Standard Version (ASV)

and he said unto me, Thou art my servant; Israel, in whom I will be glorified. But I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with Jehovah, and my recompense with my God.

Isaiah 49:3–4 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

And he said unto me, Thou art my servant, Israel, in whom I will glorify myself. —And I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought and in vain; nevertheless my judgment is with Jehovah, and my work with my God.

Isaiah 49:3–4 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

He said to me, 

“You are my servant Israel. 

I will display my glory through you.” 

But I said, 

“I have worked hard for nothing. 

I have used my strength, but I didn’t accomplish anything. 

Yet, certainly my case is in the Lord’s hands, 

and my reward is with my God.” 

Isaiah 49:3–4 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

He said to me, “You are My Servant, Israel;

I will be glorified in him.”

But I myself said: I have labored in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and futility;

yet my vindication is with the Lord,

and my reward is with my God.

Isaiah 49:3–4 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

And he said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”

But I said, “I have labored in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

yet surely my cause is with the Lord,

and my reward with my God.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

And he said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will show my glory.”

But I myself said, “I have labored in vain;

I have used up my strength for nothing and vanity!

Nevertheless, my justice is with Yahweh,

and my reward is with my God.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

He said to me, “You are my true servant Israel.

I will show my glory through you.”

But I said, “In spite of my hard work,

I feel as if I haven’t accomplished anything.

I’ve used up all of my strength.

It seems as if everything I’ve done is worthless.

But the Lord will give me what I should receive.

My God will reward me.”

Isaiah 49:3–4 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

He said to Me, “You are My Servant, Israel,

In Whom I will show My glory.”

But I said, “I have toiled in vain,

I have spent My strength for nothing and vanity;

Yet surely the justice due to Me is with the Lord,

And My reward with My God.”


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