Dual PanelIsrael a light to the nations
1LISTEN to me, you coasts and islands, pay heed, you peoples far distant: the LORD called me before I was born, he named me from my mother's womb.
2He made my tongue a sharp sword and hid me under the shelter of his hand; he made me into a polished arrow, in his quiver he concealed me.
3He said to me, “Israel, you are my servant through whom I shall win glory.”
4Once I said, “I have toiled in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing, and to no purpose.” Yet my cause is with the LORD and my reward with my God.
5The LORD had formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him that Israel should be gathered to him, so that I might rise to honour in the LORD's sight and my God might be my strength.
6And now the LORD has said to me: “It is too slight a task for you, as my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob, to bring back the survivors of Israel: I shall appoint you a light to the nations so that my salvation may reach earth's farthest bounds.”
7These are the words of the Holy One, the LORD who redeems Israel, to one who is despised, and whom people abhor, the slave of tyrants: Kings will rise when they see you, princes will do homage, because of the LORD who is faithful, because of Israel's Holy One who has chosen you.
8These are the words of the LORD: In the time of my favour I answered you; on the day of deliverance I came to your aid. I have formed you, and destined you to be a light for peoples, restoring the land and allotting once more its desolate holdings.
9I said to the prisoners, “Go free,” and to those in darkness, “Come out into the open.” Along every path they will find pasture and grazing in all the arid places.
10They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun distress them; for one who loves them will guide them and lead them by springs of water.
11I shall make every hill a path and raise up my highways.
12They are coming: some from far away, some from the north and the west, and others from the land of Syene.
13Shout for joy, you heavens; earth, rejoice; break into songs of triumph, you mountains, for the LORD has comforted his people and has had pity on them in their distress.
14But Zion says, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
15Can a woman forget the infant at her breast, or a mother the child of her womb? But should even these forget, I shall never forget you.
16I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are always before my eyes.
17Those who rebuild you make better speed than those who pulled you down, while those who laid you waste leave you and go.
18Raise your eyes and look around: they are all assembling, flocking back to you. By my life I, the LORD, swear it: you will wear them as your jewels, and adorn yourself with them like a bride;
19I did indeed make you waste and desolate, I razed you to the ground, but now the land is too small for its inhabitants, while they who made you a ruin are far away.
20Children born during your bereavement will say, “Make room for us to live here, the place is too cramped.”
21Then you will say to yourself, “Who bore these children for me, bereaved and barren as I was? Who reared them when I was left alone, left by myself; where did I get them?”
22These are the words of the Lord GOD: I shall beckon to the nations and hoist my signal to the peoples, and they will bring your sons in their arms and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders;
23kings will be your foster-fathers, their princesses serve as your nurses. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. You will know that I am the LORD; none who look to me will be disappointed.
24Can spoil be snatched from the strong man, or a captive liberated from the ruthless?
25Yes, says the LORD, the captive will be taken even from the strong, and the spoil of the ruthless will be liberated; I shall contend with all who contend against you and deliver your children from them.
26I shall make your oppressors eat their own flesh, and they will be drunk with their own blood as if with wine, and all mankind will know that I the LORD am your Deliverer, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.