Open English Translation ISA Chapter 43

43 But now Yahweh, the one who created you, Yakov (Jacob),

and who formed you, Yisrael (Yisrael), says this:

Don’t be afraid, because I’ve paid the price to free you.

I’ve called you by name—you belong to me.

2 When you pass through the waters, I’m with you,

≈ and through the rivers, they won’t carry you away.

When you walk through the fire, you won’t get scorched

≈ and the flames won’t burn you up

3 because I’m your god, Yahweh—

≈ your rescuer, Yisrael’s holy one.

I’ve given Egypt (Heb. Mitsrayim) as your ransom—

≈ Ethiopia (Heb. Kush) and Seva in your place

4 since you are precious in my eyes.

≈ You are honoured and I love you,

and I’ll give humankind in your place,

≈ and nations in exchange for your life.

5 Don’t be afraid, because I’m with you.

I’ll bring your descendants from the east,

≈ and I’ll gather you in from the west.

6 I’ll tell the north to hand you over,

≈ and tell the south not to hold you back.

Bring my sons back from distant lands,

≈ and bring my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7 yes, all those who belong to me

and who I’ve created as my showpiece—

those who I formed when I made them.

8 Bring out the people with eyes who still seem blind,

≈ and those who have ears but still seem deaf.

9 All the nations have gathered together,

≈ and the peoples assemble.

Which of them could have predicted this?

≈ They announce things that have happened in the past!

Let them appoint their own witnesses so they can be justified.

≈ Let them hear and then let them say that it’s true.

10 But Yahweh declares that you all are my witnesses

≈ and my servant who I’ve chosen

so that you all can know and believe me

≈ and understand that I am God.

There’s no other god that was formed before me,

^ and none will be format after me.

11 I (and no one else) am Yahweh.

≈ and other than me, there’s no one else who can save you.

12 I have declared that I would save and I have saved,

≈ and I have proclaimed that I have done it,

and you all are my witnesses that I am God.

That is Yahweh’s declaration.

13 From the first day, I am he,

and no one can oppose my power.

I take action and who could reverse it?

14 Yahweh, the one who paid to set you all free, Yisrael’s holy one, says this:

For your sake, I’ve sent an army to Babylon,

and I’ll bring all of them down as fugitives in boats,

≈ and all those Chaldeans in the ships that they usually cheer about.

15 I am Yahweh, your holy one

≈ creator of Yisrael, your king.

16 I am Yahweh,

the one who made a path through the sea

≈ and a road through the surging waters.

17 I enticed the chariots and horses out,

together with a strong army,

They fell down together and didn’t rise again.

They were extinguished like how a wick is quenched.

18 Yahweh says,

Don’t meditate on what happened previously,

≈ and don’t keep thinking about past history.

19 Listen, I’m going to do something new.

It’s springing up—haven’t you noticed it?

Yes, I’ll make a road in the wilderness—

streams in that desolate place.

20 The animals in the countryside will honour me—

the jackals and the ostriches

because I’ve put water in the wilderness,

streams in the desolate place

to provide water for my chosen people.

21 I formed that nation for myself.

They will discuss their praise for me.

22 But you didn’t call to me for help, Yakov (Jacob),

≈ because you’ve grown tired of me, Yisrael (Israel).

23 You haven’t brought sheep to me as your burnt offerings,

≈ and you haven’t honoured me with your sacrifices.

I haven’t burdened you with grain offerings,

≈ and I haven’t made you weary by demanding incense.

24 You didn’t spend any money to buy fragrant reeds for me,

≈ and you haven’t satisfied me with the fat from your sacrifices.

Nevertheless you’ve burdened me with your disobedience—

≈ you’ve tired me out with your wickedness.

25 I’m the only one who wipes your offenses out for my own sake,

≈ and then I won’t remember your sins any more.

26 Remind me, let’s plead the case together.

You retell it all so that you can be declared innocent.

27 Your founding father sinned,

≈ and your spokesmen have disobeyed me,

28 so I’ll defile your sacred officials,

and send destruction to Yakov,

≈ and insults to Yisrael.