Thematic Bible

Isaiah 49:1

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.

Isaiah 49:2

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.

Isaiah 49:3

He said to me: You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will show my glory.

Isaiah 49:4

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.

Isaiah 49:5

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.

Isaiah 49:6

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.

Isaiah 49:7

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.

Isaiah 49:8

This is what Jehovah says: In the time of favor I will answer you. I will appoint you as my promise to the people. You will restore the land. You will make them inherit the desolate inheritance.

Isaiah 49:9

Say to those who are bound: Go forth, to those in the darkness and show yourselves. They will feed along the roads and their pasture is on all bare heights.

Isaiah 49:10

They will never be hungry or thirsty. The sun and the burning hot wind will not strike them. The one who has compassion on them will lead them and guide them to springs.

Isaiah 49:11

I will make all my mountains a road. My highways will be raised up.

Isaiah 49:12

They will come from far away. They will come from the north and from the west. They will come from the land of Sinim.

Isaiah 49:13

Shout for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Break into joyful shouting, O mountains! For Jehovah has comforted his people. He will have compassion on his afflicted.

Isaiah 49:14

Zion replied: Jehovah has forsaken me and Jehovah has forgotten me!

Isaiah 49:15

Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers forget, I will not forget you.

Isaiah 49:16

I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are constantly before me.

Isaiah 49:17

Your children will hurry back. Those who destroyed you and laid you waste will leave you.

Isaiah 49:18

Lift up your eyes and look around for they all gather together and come to you. As I live, declares Jehovah, you will certainly wear them like jewels and bind them on like a bride does.

Isaiah 49:19

Even if you are destroyed and demolished, and your land is in ruins, you will be too crowed for your people. Those who devoured you will be long gone.

Isaiah 49:20

The children removed from you will say to you: 'This place is too crowed for me. Make room for me to live here.'

Isaiah 49:21

You will think in your heart: 'Who brought these children to birth? I am barren (sterile) and bereaved of my children. I am an exiled wonderer. Who gave birth to these? From where did these come?'

Isaiah 49:22

Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, said Jehovah. I will set up my standard for the peoples. They will bring your sons and your daughters in their bosom and carried on their shoulders.

Isaiah 49:23

Kings will be your guardians. Their princesses will be your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth. They will lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am Jehovah. Those who hopefully wait for me will not be put to shame.

Isaiah 49:24

Can the prey be taken from the strong man? Can the captives be rescued from the tyrant?

Isaiah 49:25

Certainly Jehovah says: The captives of the strong man will be taken away. The prey of the tyrant will be rescued. I will contend with the one who grapples with you and I will save your sons.

Isaiah 49:26

I will feed oppressors with their own flesh. They will be intoxicated with their own blood as if by sweet wine. Everyone will know that I am Jehovah, your Savior and Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.