Isaiah 49:1–7

The Servant Brings Salvation

49 Coastlands, s listen to me;

distant peoples, pay attention.

The Lord called t me before I was born.

He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. u

2 He made my words like a sharp sword; v

He hid me in the shadow of His hand. w

He made me like a sharpened arrow;

He hid me in His quiver.

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

I will be glorified in him.”

4 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.

5 And now, says the Lord,

who formed me from the womb to be His Servant,

to bring Jacob back to Him

so that Israel might be gathered to Him;

for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,

and my God is my strength—

6 He says,

“It is not enough for you to be My Servant

raising up the tribes of Jacob

and restoring the protected ones of Israel.

I will also make you a light for the nations, y

to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” z

7 This is what the Lord,

the Redeemer a of Israel, his Holy One, says

to one who is despised,

to one abhorred by people, b c

to a servant of rulers:

“Kings will see and stand up,

and princes d will bow down,

because of the Lord, who is faithful,

the Holy One of Israel e—and He has chosen you.” f