Isaiah 43

Israel’s Only Savior

43But now, this is what the LORD says—

He who created you, O Jacob,

and He who formed you, O Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by your name; you are Mine!

Verse 2When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you go through the rivers,

they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be scorched;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

Verse 3For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom,

Cush and Seba in your place.

Verse 4Because you are precious and honored in My sight,

and because I love you,

I will give men in exchange for you

and nations in place of your life.

Verse 5Do not be afraid, for I am with you;

I will bring your offspring from the east

and gather you from the west.

Verse 6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’

and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’

Bring My sons from afar,

and My daughters from the ends of the earth—

Verse 7everyone called by My name and created for My glory,

whom I have indeed formed and made.”

Verse 8Bring out a people who have eyes but are blind,

and who have ears but are deaf.

Verse 9All the nations gather together

and the peoples assemble.

Who among them can declare this,

and proclaim to us the former things?

Let them present their witnesses to vindicate them,

so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”

Verse 10“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,

“and My servant whom I have chosen,

so that you may consider and believe Me

and understand that I am He.

Before Me no god was formed,

and after Me none will come.

Verse 11I, yes I, am the LORD,

and there is no Savior but Me.

Verse 12I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed—

I, and not some foreign god among you.

So you are My witnesses,” declares the LORD,

“that I am God.

Verse 13Even from eternity I am He,

and none can deliver out of My hand.

When I act, who can reverse it?”

A Way in the Wilderness

Verse 14Thus says the LORD your Redeemer,

the Holy One of Israel:

“For your sake, I will send to Babylon

and bring them all as fugitives,

even the Chaldeans,

in the ships in which they rejoice.

Verse 15I am the LORD, your Holy One,

the Creator of Israel, and your King.”

Verse 16Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea

and a path through the surging waters,

Verse 17who brings out the chariots and horses,

the armies and warriors together,

to lie down, never to rise again;

to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

Verse 18“Do not call to mind the former things;

pay no attention to the things of old.

Verse 19Behold, I am about to do something new;

even now it is coming. Do you not see it?

Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness

and streams in the desert.

Verse 20The beasts of the field will honor Me,

the jackals and the ostriches,

because I provide water in the wilderness

and rivers in the desert,

to give drink to My chosen people.

Verse 21The people I formed for Myself

will declare My praise.

Israel’s Unfaithfulness

Verse 22But you have not called on Me, O Jacob,

because you have grown weary of Me, O Israel.

Verse 23You have not brought Me sheep for burnt offerings,

nor honored Me with your sacrifices.

I have not burdened you with offerings,

nor wearied you with frankincense.

Verse 24You have not bought Me sweet cane with your silver,

nor satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices.

But you have burdened Me with your sins;

you have wearied Me with your iniquities.

Verse 25I, yes I, am He

who blots out your transgressions for My own sake

and remembers your sins no more.

Verse 26Remind Me, let us argue the matter together.

State your case, so that you may be vindicated.

Verse 27Your first father sinned,

and your spokesmen rebelled against Me.

Verse 28So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary,

and I will devote Jacob to destruction and Israel to reproach.”