1The LORD created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

2When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.

3I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Egypt is the ransom I exchanged for you. Sudan and Seba are the price I paid for you.

4Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life.

5Do not be afraid, because I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west.

6I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not keep them." Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

7Bring everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

8Bring the people who are blind but still have eyes, the people who are deaf but still have ears.

9All nations have gathered together, and people have assembled. Who among them could have revealed this? Who among them could have foretold this to us? They should bring their witnesses to prove that they were right. Let the people hear them. Then they will say that it is true.

10"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD. "I have chosen you as my servant so that you can know and believe in me and understand that I am the one [who did this]. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me.

11I alone am the LORD, and there is no savior except me.

12I have revealed it to you, I have saved you, and I have announced it to you. There was no foreign [god] among you. You are my witnesses that I am God," declares the LORD.

13"From the [first] day I was the one [who did this]. No one can rescue people from my power. When I do something, who can undo it?"

14This is what the LORD, your Defender, the Holy One of Israel, says: For your sake I will send [an army] to Babylon. I will bring back all the Babylonian refugees in the ships that they take pride in.

15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.

16The LORD makes a path through the sea and a road through the strong currents.

17He leads chariots and horses, an army and reinforcements. (They lie down together and do not get up [again]. They are extinguished and snuffed out like a wick.) This is what the LORD says:

18Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago.

19I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don't you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.

20Wild animals, jackals, and ostriches will honor me. I will provide water in the desert. I will make rivers on the dry land for my chosen people to drink.

21I have formed these people for myself. They will praise me.

22Jacob, you have not prayed to me. Israel, you have grown tired of me.

23You did not bring me sheep for your burnt offerings or honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you by requiring grain offerings or trouble you by requiring incense offerings.

24You did not buy me any sugar cane with [your] money or satisfy me with the best part of your sacrifices. Rather, you burdened me with your sins and troubled me with your wrongdoings.

25I alone am the one who is going to wipe away your rebellious actions for my own sake. I will not remember your sins [anymore].

26Remind me [of what happened]. Let us argue our case together. State your case so that you can prove you are right.

27Your first ancestor sinned, and your priests rebelled against me.

28That is why I will corrupt the leaders of the holy place. I will claim Jacob for destruction. I will set up Israel for ridicule.