Isaiah 49:5–8

⁵The Lord made me in the body of my mother

to be his servant,

to lead the people of Jacob back to him

so that Israel might be gathered to him.

The Lord will honor me,

and I will get my strength from my God.

⁶Now he told me,

“You are an important servant to me

to bring back the tribes of Jacob,

to bring back the people of Israel who are left alive.

But, more importantly, I will make you a light for all nations

to show people all over the world the way to be saved.”

⁷The Lord who saves you

is the Holy One of Israel.

He speaks to the one who is hated by the people,

to the servant of rulers.

This is what he says: “Kings will see you and stand to honor you;

great leaders will bow down before you,

because the Lord can be trusted.

He is the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

The Day of Salvation

⁸This is what the Lord says:

“At the right time I will hear your prayers.

On the day of salvation I will help you.

I will protect you,

and you will be the sign of my agreement with the people.

You will bring back the people to the land

and give the land that is now ruined back to its owners.