Isaiah 43:22–44:8

22  “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob;

but syou have been weary of me, O Israel!

23  tYou have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings,

or honored me with your sacrifices.

I have not burdened you with offerings,

sor wearied you with frankincense.

24  You have not bought me sweet cane with money,

or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.

But you have burdened me with your sins;

you have wearied me with your iniquities.

25  “I, I am he

uwho blots out vyour transgressions for my own sake,

and I will not remember your sins.

26  Put me in remembrance; wlet us argue together;

set forth your case, that you may be proved right.

27  xYour first father sinned,

and yyour mediators transgressed against me.

28  Therefore zI will profane the princes of the sanctuary,

and adeliver Jacob to utter destruction

and Israel to reviling.

Israel the Lord’s Chosen

44 “But now hear, bO Jacob my servant,

Israel whom I have chosen!

2  Thus says the Lord who made you,

cwho formed you from the womb and will help you:

dFear not, O Jacob my servant,

eJeshurun whom I have chosen.

3  fFor I will pour water on the thirsty land,

and streams on the dry ground;

I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,

and my blessing on your descendants.

4  They shall spring up among the grass

glike willows by flowing streams.

5  hThis one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’

another will call on the name of Jacob,

and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’

and name himself by the name of Israel.”

Besides Me There Is No God

6  Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel

and ihis Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:

j“I am the first and I am the last;

besides me there is no god.

7  kWho is like me? Let him proclaim it.1

Let him declare and set it before me,

since I appointed an ancient people.

Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.

8  Fear not, nor be afraid;

have I not told you from of old and declared it?

lAnd you are my witnesses!

mIs there a God besides me?

There is no nRock; I know not any.”