The Lord Will Rescue His People

43:1 Now, this is what the Lord says,

the one who created you, O Jacob,

and formed you, O Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, for I will protect1 you.

I call you by name, you are mine.

43:2 When you pass through the waters, I am with you;

when you pass2 through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not harm3 you.

43:3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel,4 your deliverer.

I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price,

Ethiopia and Seba5 in place of you.

43:4 Since you are precious and special in my sight,6

and I love you,

I will hand over people in place of you,

nations in place of your life.

43:5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

From the east I will bring your descendants;

from the west I will gather you.

43:6 I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’

and to the south, ‘Don’t hold any back!’

Bring my sons from distant lands,

and my daughters from the remote regions of the earth,

43:7 everyone who belongs to me,7

whom I created for my glory,

whom I formed—yes, whom I made!