40 Comfort, comfort^(A) my people,
    says your God.
² Speak tenderly^(B) to Jerusalem,
    and proclaim to her
that her hard service^(C) has been completed,^(D)
    that her sin has been paid for,^(E)
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
    double^(F) for all her sins.

43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created^(A) you, Jacob,
    he who formed^(B) you, Israel:^(C)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed^(D) you;
    I have summoned you by name;^(E) you are mine.^(F)
2 When you pass through the waters,^(G)
    I will be with you;^(H)
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,^(I)
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.^(J)
3 For I am the Lord your God,^(K)
    the Holy One^(L) of Israel, your Savior;^(M)
I give Egypt^(N) for your ransom,
    Cush^[a](O) and Seba^(P) in your stead.^(Q)
4 Since you are precious and honored^(R) in my sight,
    and because I love^(S) you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.

44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,^(A)
    Israel, whom I have chosen.^(B)
2 This is what the Lord says—
    he who made^(C) you, who formed you in the womb,^(D)
    and who will help^(E) you:
Do not be afraid,^(F) Jacob, my servant,^(G)
    Jeshurun,^[a](H) whom I have chosen.
³ For I will pour water^(I) on the thirsty land,
    and streams on the dry ground;^(J)
I will pour out my Spirit^(K) on your offspring,
    and my blessing^(L) on your descendants.^(M)
4 They will spring up like grass^(N) in a meadow,
    like poplar trees^(O) by flowing streams.^(P)
5 Some will say, ‘I belong^(Q) to the Lord’;
    others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand,^(R) ‘The Lord’s,’^(S)
    and will take the name Israel.