¹⁸ “Forget the former things;^(A)
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!^(B)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness^(C)
    and streams in the wasteland.^(D)
20 The wild animals^(E) honor me,
    the jackals^(F) and the owls,
because I provide water^(G) in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
²¹     the people I formed^(H) for myself^(I)
    that they may proclaim my praise.^(J)

²² “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied^(K) yourselves for^[a] me, Israel.^(L)
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,^(M)
    nor honored^(N) me with your sacrifices.^(O)
I have not burdened^(P) you with grain offerings
    nor wearied you with demands^(Q) for incense.^(R)
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus^(S) for me,
    or lavished on me the fat^(T) of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied^(U) me with your offenses.^(V)

²⁵ “I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions,^(W) for my own sake,^(X)
    and remembers your sins^(Y) no more.^(Z)

³ When I kept silent,^(D)
    my bones wasted away^(E)
    through my groaning^(F) all day long.
⁴ For day and night
    your hand was heavy^(G) on me;
my strength was sapped^(H)
    as in the heat of summer.^[b]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.^(I)
I said, “I will confess^(J)
    my transgressions^(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.^(L)

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;^(M)
surely the rising^(N) of the mighty waters^(O)
    will not reach them.^(P)
7 You are my hiding place;^(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble^(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.^(S)

⁸ I will instruct^(T) you and teach you^(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on^(V) you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle^(W)
    or they will not come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,^(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts^(Y) in him.

¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord^(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!