Isaiah 49:1-7 - Yahweh's Servant Brings Salvation

¹ Listen to this, you islands! Pay attention you people far away. Jehovah chose me long before I was born. He recorded my name while I was in my mother's womb. ² He made my tongue like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow and hid me in his quiver. ³ He said to me: You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will show my glory. ⁴ I said: I have toiled in vain. I have spent my energy for nothing and vanity. Yet, to be sure, the justice due to me is with Jehovah. My reward is with my God. ⁵ Jehovah formed me in the womb to be his servant. I am to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to him. Jehovah honors me. My God has become my strength. ⁶ He says: It is a small thing that you are my servant. You will raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved ones of Israel. I will also make you a light to the nations that my salvation will reach to the end of the earth. ⁷ Israel's Holy God and Savior says to the one who is deeply despised, hated by the nations and is the servant of rulers: Kings will see you released and will rise to show their respect. Princes will also see it and they will bow low to honor you.