Isaiah 43:16-Isaiah 44:5 - Despite The People Of Israel's Past Sin, The Lord Will Forgive Them

¹⁶ This is what the Lord says, the one who made a road through the sea, a pathway through the surging waters, ¹⁷ the one who led chariots and horses to destruction, together with a mighty army. They fell down, never to rise again; they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick: ¹⁸ "Don't remember these earlier events; don't recall these former events. ¹⁹ "Look, I am about to do something new. Now it begins to happen! Do you not recognize it? Yes, I will make a road in the desert and paths in the wilderness. ²⁰ The wild animals of the desert honor me, the jackals and ostriches, because I put water in the desert and streams in the wilderness, to quench the thirst of my chosen people, ²¹ the people whom I formed for myself, so they might praise me."

²² "But you did not call for me, O Jacob; you did not long for me, O Israel. ²³ You did not bring me lambs for your burnt offerings; you did not honor me with your sacrifices. I did not burden you with offerings; I did not make you weary by demanding incense. ²⁴ You did not buy me aromatic reeds; you did not present to me the fat of your sacrifices. Yet you burdened me with your sins; you made me weary with your evil deeds.

²⁵ I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember. ²⁶ Remind me of what happened! Let's debate! You, prove to me that you are right! ²⁷ The father of your nation sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me. ²⁸ So I defiled your holy princes, and handed Jacob over to destruction, and subjected Israel to humiliating abuse."

¹ "Now, listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen!" ² This is what the Lord, the one who made you, says -- the one who formed you in the womb and helps you: "Don't be afraid, my servant Jacob, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen! ³ For I will pour water on the parched ground and cause streams to flow on the dry land. I will pour my spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your children. ⁴ They will sprout up like a tree in the grass, like poplars beside channels of water. ⁵ One will say, 'I belong to the Lord,' and another will use the name 'Jacob.' One will write on his hand, 'The Lord's,' and use the name 'Israel.'"