reassurance and hope

Isaiah 43

1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.

O Israel, the one who formed you says,

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

2 When you go through deep waters,

I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,

you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;

the flames will not consume you.

3 For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;

I gave Ethiopia^[a^] and Seba in your place.

4 Others were given in exchange for you.

I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.

You are honored, and I love you.

5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
    

  I will gather you and your children from east and west.


 6 I will say to the north and south,


 ‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the

distant corners of the earth.
 

7 Bring all who claim me as their God,


for I have made them for my glory.


It was I who created them.’”

8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, 

who have ears but are deaf.


 9 Gather the nations together!


 Assemble the peoples of the world!
  

 Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?


Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?

 Where are the witnesses of such predictions?


Who can verify that they spoke the truth?

10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.

“You are my servant.

You have been chosen to know me,

believe in me, 

and understand that I alone am God.


There is no other God—
there never has been,

and there never will be.
 

11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
 and there is no other Savior.

12 First I predicted your rescue, then I saved you

and proclaimed it to the world.
   

No foreign god has ever done this.


You are witnesses that I am the only God,”says the Lord.
 

13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.

No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.


No one can undo what I have done.”