49 Listen to me you islands,[ref]

≈ and pay attention you distant peoples.

Yahweh called me from before I was born—

≈ he knew my name when I was still inside my mother.

2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword that he hid in the shadow of his hand.[ref]

≈ He made me into a polished arrow that he hid in his quiver.

3 Then he told me, ‘Yisrael, you’re my servant,

and I’ll be honoured by others because of you.’

4 I replied, ‘I’ve worked with no results

≈ and used my strength for nothing at all.

Nevertheless, my justice is with Yahweh,

≈ and my wages are with my god.’

5 Now Yahweh has spoken—

the one who formed me from the womb as his servant—

to restore Yakov to himself,

≈ and gather Yisrael to him.

I’ll be honoured in Yahweh’s eyes,

and my god has been my strength.

6 Also he says,[ref]

‘It’s too insignificant for you to be my servant to raise up Yakov’s tribes

≈ and to bring back those from Yisrael who’ve been preserved.

I’ll make you into a light for the nations—

≈ to be the one who takes salvation to the ends of the earth for me.’

7 Yahweh, Yisrael’s holy one,

the one who paid the price for their freedom

says to the one whose life is despised,

the one who’s hated by the nations—a slave of rulers:

‘Kings will see and stand up,

and princes will bow down

on account of Yahweh who is faithful—Yisrael’s holy one

because he has chosen you.’