Isaiah 41:1-10

Common English Bible

Victor from the east

41 Be quiet before me, coastlands.
    Let the nations renew their strength.
    Let them approach and speak.
    Let’s draw near for a judgment.
²Who has awakened one from the east
    and has authority to summon him to serve—
    giving him nations,
    conquering kings,
    making them like dust with his sword,
    like scattered straw with his bow?
³He pursues them and passes untouched,
    needing no path for his feet.
⁴Who has acted and who has done this,
    calling upon generation after generation since the beginning?
        I, the Lord, was first,
        and I will be the last!

⁵The coastlands see and fear;
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they draw near and arrive.
⁶Each helps the other,
    each saying to the other, “Take courage!”
⁷The craftsman encourages the metalworker;
    the one who smoothes with the hammer
    encourages the one who strikes the anvil,
    saying of the welding, “That’s good,”
    and strengthening it with nails so it won’t move.

Israel as God’s servant

⁸But you, Israel my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    offspring of Abraham, whom I love,
⁹    you whom I took from the ends of the earth
        and called from its farthest corners,
    saying to you, “You are my servant;
    I chose you and didn’t reject you”:
¹⁰    Don’t fear, because I am with you;
    don’t be afraid, for I am your God.
    I will strengthen you,
    I will surely help you;
    I will hold you
    with my righteous strong hand.