Isaiah 43

1 But now Adonai who created you, Jacob [Supplanter], and he who formed you, Israel [God prevails] says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.

3 For I am Adonai your God, haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails], the One who saves you. I have given Egypt [Abode of slavery] as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

4 Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have 'ahav ·affectionately loved· you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.

5 Don’t be afraid; for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west.

6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth—

7 everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my kavod ·weighty glory·, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’”

8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and sh'ma ·hear obey, declare· us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them sh'ma ·hear obey·, and say, “That is true.”

10 “You are my witnesses,” says Adonai, “With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and trust me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no deity formed, neither will there be after me.

11 I myself am Adonai; and besides me there is no one providing salvation.

12 I have declared, I have saved, and I have sh'ma ·heard obeyed·; and there was no strange deity among you. Therefore you are my witnesses,” says Adonai, “and I am God.

13 Yes, since the day was I am he; and there is no one who can deliver out of my hand. I will work, and who can hinder it?”

14 Adonai, your Redeemer, haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails] says: “For your sake, I have sent to Babylon [Confusion], and I will bring all of them down as fugitives, even the Chaldeans [Descendants of Loving-kindness], in the ships of their rejoicing.

15 I am Adonai, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel [God prevails], your King.”

16 Adonai, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters says:

17 who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and the mighty man (they lie down together, they shall not rise; they are extinct, they are quenched like a wick):

18 “Don’t remember the former things, and don’t consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing. It springs out now. Don’t you know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The animals of the field shall honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might declare my tehilah ·praise song·.

22 Yet you have not called on me, Jacob [Supplanter]; but you have been weary of me, Israel [God prevails].

23 You have not brought me of your sheep for burnt offerings; neither have you honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with offerings, nor wearied you with frankincense.

24 You have bought me no sweet cane with money, nor have you filled me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you have abad ·served· me with your habitual sins ·missing the marks·. You have wearied me with your depravities (moral evils).

25 I, even I, am he who blots out your rebellious breaches of relationships for my own sake; and I will not remember your habitual sins ·missing the marks·.

26 Put me in remembrance. Let us plead together. Declare your case, that you may be justified.

27 Your first father sinned ·deviated (from the standard goal)·, and your teachers have rebelled to break away from authority thus breaking relationship against me.

28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; and I will make Jacob [Supplanter] a curse, and Israel [God prevails] an insult.”