² Let the redeemed^(C) of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
³ those he gathered^(D) from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.^[a]

⁴ Some wandered in desert^(E) wastelands,
    finding no way to a city^(F) where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry^(G) and thirsty,^(H)
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out^(I) to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way^(J)
    to a city^(K) where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks^(L) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(M)
    and his wonderful deeds^(N) for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies^(O) the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.^(P)

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness,^(Q) in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering^(R) in iron chains,^(S)
11 because they rebelled^(T) against God’s commands
    and despised^(U) the plans^(V) of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.^(W)
13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them^(X) from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness,^(Y) the utter darkness,^(Z)
    and broke away their chains.^(AA)
15 Let them give thanks^(AB) to the Lord for his unfailing love^(AC)
    and his wonderful deeds^(AD) for mankind,
¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

¹⁵ “Although you have been forsaken^(A) and hated,
    with no one traveling^(B) through,
I will make you the everlasting pride^(C)
    and the joy^(D) of all generations.
¹⁶ You will drink the milk of nations
    and be nursed^(E) at royal breasts.
Then you will know^(F) that I, the Lord, am your Savior,^(G)
    your Redeemer,^(H) the Mighty One of Jacob.^(I)
17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,^(J)
    and silver in place of iron.
Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,
    and iron in place of stones.
I will make peace^(K) your governor
    and well-being your ruler.^(L)
18 No longer will violence^(M) be heard in your land,
    nor ruin or destruction^(N) within your borders,
but you will call your walls Salvation^(O)
    and your gates Praise.^(P)
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
    nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the Lord will be your everlasting light,^(Q)
    and your God will be your glory.^(R)
20 Your sun^(S) will never set again,
    and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
    and your days of sorrow^(T) will end.
²¹ Then all your people will be righteous^(U)
    and they will possess^(V) the land forever.
They are the shoot I have planted,^(W)
    the work of my hands,^(X)
    for the display of my splendor.^(Y)
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
    the smallest a mighty nation.^(Z)
I am the Lord;
    in its time I will do this swiftly.”^(AA)