Isaiah 49:7–20

⁷God, Redeemer of Israel, The Holy of Israel,

says to the despised one, kicked around by the nations,

slave labor to the ruling class:

“Kings will see, get to their feet—the princes, too—

and then fall on their faces in homage

Because of God, who has faithfully kept his word,

The Holy of Israel, who has chosen you.”

^8–12God also says:

“When the time’s ripe, I answer you.

When victory’s due, I help you.

I form you and use you

to reconnect the people with me,

To put the land in order,

to resettle families on the ruined properties.

I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’

and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’

There’ll be foodstands along all the roads,

picnics on all the hills—

Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,

shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,

For the Compassionate One guides them,

takes them to the best springs.

I’ll make all my mountains into roads,

turn them into a superhighway.

Look: These coming from far countries,

and those, out of the north,

These streaming in from the west,

and those from all the way down the Nile!”

¹³Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!

Mountains, send up cheers!

God has comforted his people.

He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

¹⁴But Zion said, “I don’t get it. God has left me.

My Master has forgotten I even exist.”

^15–18“Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,

walk away from the baby she bore?

But even if mothers forget,

I’d never forget you—never.

Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.

The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.

Your builders are faster than your wreckers.

The demolition crews are gone for good.

Look up, look around, look well!

See them all gathering, coming to you?

As sure as I am the living God”—God’s Decree—

“you’re going to put them on like so much jewelry,

you’re going to use them to dress up like a bride.

^19–21“And your ruined land?

Your devastated, decimated land?

Filled with more people than you know what to do with!

And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.

The children born in your exile will be saying,

‘It’s getting too crowded here. I need more room.’