Isaiah 42:1–9

The Lord’s Chosen Servant

¹“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.

He is my chosen one, who pleases me.

I have put my Spirit upon him.

He will bring justice to the nations.

²He will not shout

or raise his voice in public.

³He will not crush the weakest reed

or put out a flickering candle.

He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.

⁴He will not falter or lose heart

until justice prevails throughout the earth.

Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.”

⁵God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.

He created the earth and everything in it.

He gives breath to everyone,

life to everyone who walks the earth.

And it is he who says,

⁶“I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.

I will take you by the hand and guard you,

and I will give you to my people, Israel,

as a symbol of my covenant with them.

And you will be a light to guide the nations.

⁷You will open the eyes of the blind.

You will free the captives from prison,

releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

⁸“I am the Lord; that is my name!

I will not give my glory to anyone else,

nor share my praise with carved idols.

⁹Everything I prophesied has come true,

and now I will prophesy again.

I will tell you the future before it happens.”