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Isaiah 42
New International Version
Isaiah 42
New International Version
The Servant of the Lord
42 “Here is my servant,(A) whom I uphold,
my chosen one(B) in whom I delight;(C)
I will put my Spirit(D) on him,
and he will bring justice(E) to the nations.(F)
2 He will not shout or cry out,(G)
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed(H) he will not break,(I)
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.(J)
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;(K)
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice(L) on earth.
In his teaching(M) the islands(N) will put their hope.”(O)
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens,(P) who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth(Q) with all that springs from it,(R)
who gives breath(S) to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called(T) you in righteousness;(U)
I will take hold of your hand.(V)
I will keep(W) you and will make you
to be a covenant(X) for the people
and a light(Y) for the Gentiles,(Z)
7 to open eyes that are blind,(AA)
to free(AB) captives from prison(AC)
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.(AD)
8 “I am the Lord;(AE) that is my name!(AF)
I will not yield my glory to another(AG)
or my praise to idols.(AH)
9 See, the former things(AI) have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce(AJ) them to you.”
Song of Praise to the Lord
10 Sing(AK) to the Lord a new song,(AL)
his praise(AM) from the ends of the earth,(AN)
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,(AO)
you islands,(AP) and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness(AQ) and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar(AR) lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela(AS) sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.(AT)
12 Let them give glory(AU) to the Lord
and proclaim his praise(AV) in the islands.(AW)
13 The Lord will march out like a champion,(AX)
like a warrior(AY) he will stir up his zeal;(AZ)
with a shout(BA) he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.(BB)
14 “For a long time I have kept silent,(BC)
I have been quiet and held myself back.(BD)
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.(BE)
15 I will lay waste(BF) the mountains(BG) and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up(BH) the pools.
16 I will lead(BI) the blind(BJ) by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light(BK) before them
and make the rough places smooth.(BL)
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake(BM) them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’(BN)
will be turned back in utter shame.(BO)
Israel Blind and Deaf
18 “Hear, you deaf;(BP)
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind(BQ) but my servant,(BR)
and deaf like the messenger(BS) I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant(BT) with me,
blind like the servant of the Lord?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”(BU)
21 It pleased the Lord
for the sake(BV) of his righteousness
to make his law(BW) great and glorious.
22 But this is a people plundered(BX) and looted,
all of them trapped in pits(BY)
or hidden away in prisons.(BZ)
They have become plunder,
with no one to rescue them;(CA)
they have been made loot,
with no one to say, “Send them back.”
23 Which of you will listen to this
or pay close attention(CB) in time to come?
24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot,
and Israel to the plunderers?(CC)
Was it not the Lord,(CD)
against whom we have sinned?
For they would not follow(CE) his ways;
they did not obey his law.(CF)
25 So he poured out on them his burning anger,(CG)
the violence of war.
It enveloped them in flames,(CH) yet they did not understand;(CI)
it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.(CJ)
Isaiah 42
The Message
Isaiah 42
The Message
God’s Servant Will Set Everything Right
42 1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.
I’m backing him to the hilt.
He’s the one I chose,
and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.
I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, my life.
He’ll set everything right among the nations.
He won’t call attention to what he does
with loud speeches or gaudy parades.
He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt
and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,
but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.
He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped
until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.
Far-flung ocean islands
wait expectantly for his teaching.”
The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life
5-9 God’s Message,
the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies,
laid out the earth and all that grows from it,
Who breathes life into earth’s people,
makes them alive with his own life:
“I am God. I have called you to live right and well.
I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.
I have set you among my people to bind them to me,
and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,
To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:
opening blind eyes,
releasing prisoners from dungeons,
emptying the dark prisons.
I am God. That’s my name.
I don’t franchise my glory,
don’t endorse the no-god idols.
Take note: The earlier predictions of judgment have been fulfilled.
I’m announcing the new salvation work.
Before it bursts on the scene,
I’m telling you all about it.”
10-16 Sing to God a brand-new song,
sing his praises all over the world!
Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,
with all the far-flung islands joining in.
Let the desert and its camps raise a tune,
calling the Kedar nomads to join in.
Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir
and perform from the tops of the mountains.
Make God’s glory resound;
echo his praises from coast to coast.
God steps out like he means business.
You can see he’s primed for action.
He shouts, announcing his arrival;
he takes charge and his enemies fall into line:
“I’ve been quiet long enough.
I’ve held back, biting my tongue.
But now I’m letting loose, letting go,
like a woman who’s having a baby—
Stripping the hills bare,
withering the wildflowers,
Drying up the rivers,
turning lakes into mudflats.
But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way,
who can’t see where they’re going.
I’ll be a personal guide to them,
directing them through unknown country.
I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take,
make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.
These are the things I’ll be doing for them—
sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.”
17 But those who invested in the no-gods
are bankrupt—dead broke.
You’ve Seen a Lot, but Looked at Nothing
18-25 Pay attention! Are you deaf?
Open your eyes! Are you blind?
You’re my servant, and you’re not looking!
You’re my messenger, and you’re not listening!
The very people I depended upon, servants of God,
blind as a bat—willfully blind!
You’ve seen a lot, but looked at nothing.
You’ve heard everything, but listened to nothing.
God intended, out of the goodness of his heart,
to be lavish in his revelation.
But this is a people battered and cowed,
shut up in attics and closets,
Victims licking their wounds,
feeling ignored, abandoned.
But is anyone out there listening?
Is anyone paying attention to what’s coming?
Who do you think turned Jacob over to the thugs,
let loose the robbers on Israel?
Wasn’t it God himself, this God against whom we’ve sinned—
not doing what he commanded,
not listening to what he said?
Isn’t it God’s anger that’s behind all this,
God’s punishing power?
Their whole world collapsed but they still didn’t get it;
their life is in ruins but they don’t take it to heart.
Isaiah 42
Contemporary English Version
Isaiah 42
Contemporary English Version
The Lord's Servant
42 (A)(B) Here is my servant!
I have made him strong.
He is my chosen one;
I am pleased with him.
I have given him my Spirit,
and he will bring justice
to the nations.
2 He won't shout or yell
or call out in the streets.
3 He won't break off a bent reed
or put out a dying flame,
but he will make sure
that justice is done.
4 He won't quit or give up
until he brings justice
everywhere on earth,
and people in foreign nations
long for his teaching.
5 (C) I am the Lord God.
I created the heavens
like an open tent above.
I made the earth and everything
that grows on it.
I am the source of life
for all who live on this earth,
so listen to what I say.
6 (D) I chose you to bring justice,
and I am here at your side.
I selected you and sent you[a]
to bring light
and my promise of hope
to the nations.
7 You will give sight
to the blind;
you will set prisoners free
from dark dungeons.
8 My name is the Lord!
I won't let idols or humans
share my glory and praise.
9 Everything has happened
just as I said it would;
now I will announce
what will happen next.
Sing Praises to the Lord
10 Tell the whole world to sing
a new song to the Lord!
Tell those who sail the ocean
and those who live far away
to join in the praise.
11 Tell the tribes of the desert
and everyone in the mountains[b]
to celebrate and sing.
12 Let them announce
his praises everywhere.
13 The Lord is marching out
like an angry soldier,
shouting with all his might
while attacking his enemies.
The Lord Will Help His People
14 For a long time, I, the Lord,
have held my temper;
now I will cry out and groan
like a woman giving birth.
15 I will destroy the mountains
and what grows on them;
I will dry up rivers and ponds.
16 I will lead the blind on roads
they have never known;
I will guide them on paths
they have never traveled.
Their road is dark and rough,
but I will give light
to keep them from stumbling.
This is my solemn promise.
17 Everyone who worships idols
as though they were gods
will be terribly ashamed.
God's People Won't Obey
18 You people are deaf and blind,
but the Lord commands you
to listen and to see.
19 No one is as blind or deaf
as his messenger,
his chosen servant,
20 who sees and hears so much,
but pays no attention.
21 The Lord always does right,
and so he wanted his Law
to be greatly praised.[c]
22 But his people were trapped
and imprisoned in holes
with no one to rescue them.
All they owned had been taken,
and no one was willing
to give it back.
23 Why won't his people
ever learn to listen?
24 Israel sinned and refused
to obey the Lord
or follow his instructions.
So the Lord let us be robbed
of everything we owned.
25 He was furious with us
and punished our nation
with the fires of war.
Still we paid no attention.
We didn't even care
when we were surrounded
and scorched by flames.
Isaías 42
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Isaías 42
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Promesa de Dios a Su Siervo
42 »Este es Mi Siervo(A), a quien Yo sostengo,
Mi escogido(B), en quien Mi alma se complace(C).
He puesto Mi Espíritu sobre Él(D);
Él traerá justicia a las naciones[a](E).
2 No clamará ni alzará Su voz,
Ni hará oír Su voz en la calle.
3 No quebrará la caña cascada,
Ni apagará la mecha que casi no arde;
Con fidelidad traerá justicia[b](F).
4 No se desanimará ni desfallecerá(G)
Hasta que haya establecido en la tierra la justicia[c].
Su ley esperarán las costas[d](H)».
5 Así dice Dios el Señor,
Que crea los cielos y los extiende(I),
Que afirma[e] la tierra(J) y lo que de ella brota[f](K),
Que da aliento al pueblo que hay en ella(L),
Y espíritu a los que por ella andan:
6 «Yo soy el Señor, en justicia te he llamado(M).
Te sostendré por la mano(N) y por ti velaré(O),
Y te pondré como pacto para el pueblo(P),
Como luz para las naciones(Q),
7 Para que abras los ojos a los ciegos(R),
Para que saques de la cárcel a los presos(S),
Y de la prisión a los que moran en tinieblas.
8 Yo soy el Señor(T), ese es Mi nombre(U);
Mi gloria a otro no daré(V),
Ni Mi alabanza a imágenes talladas[g](W).
9 Las cosas anteriores ya se han cumplido(X),
Y Yo anuncio cosas nuevas(Y);
Antes que sucedan[h], se las anuncio».
Canto triunfal
10 Canten al Señor un cántico nuevo(Z),
Canten Su alabanza desde los confines de la tierra(AA),
Los que descienden al mar(AB) y cuanto hay en él(AC),
Las islas[i](AD) y sus moradores.
11 Levanten la voz el desierto(AE) y sus ciudades,
Las aldeas donde habita Cedar(AF).
Canten de júbilo los habitantes de Sela(AG),
Desde las cimas de los montes griten de alegría(AH).
12 Den gloria al Señor(AI),
Y proclamen en las costas[j](AJ) Su alabanza.
13 El Señor como guerrero saldrá(AK),
Como hombre de guerra despertará Su celo(AL).
Gritará, sí, lanzará un grito de guerra,
Contra Sus enemigos prevalecerá(AM).
14 Por mucho tiempo he guardado silencio(AN),
He estado callado y me he contenido.
Pero ahora grito como mujer de parto,
Resuello y jadeo a la vez.
15 Asolaré montes y collados(AO),
Y secaré toda su vegetación.
Convertiré los ríos en islas[k](AP),
Y las lagunas secaré.
16 Conduciré a los ciegos por un camino que no conocen,
Por sendas que no conocen los guiaré(AQ);
Cambiaré delante de ellos las tinieblas en luz(AR)
Y lo escabroso en llanura(AS).
Estas cosas haré,
Y no las dejaré sin hacer(AT).
17 Serán vueltos atrás y completamente avergonzados,
Los que confían en ídolos[l](AU),
Los que dicen a las imágenes fundidas:
Ustedes son nuestros dioses.
18 Sordos, oigan;
Ciegos, miren y vean(AV).
19 ¿Quién es ciego sino Mi siervo(AW),
O tan sordo como el mensajero(AX) a quien envío?
¿Quién es tan ciego como el que está en paz[m](AY) conmigo,
O tan ciego como el siervo del Señor?
20 Tú has visto muchas cosas, pero no las observas.
Los oídos están abiertos, pero nadie oye(AZ).
21 El Señor se agradó por causa de Su justicia
En hacer la ley grande y gloriosa(BA).
22 Pero este es un pueblo saqueado y despojado,
Todos están atrapados en cuevas[n](BB),
O escondidos en prisiones(BC).
Se han convertido en presa sin que nadie los libre
Y en despojo sin que nadie diga: «Devuélvelos».
23 ¿Quién de ustedes prestará oído a esto?
¿Quién pondrá atención y escuchará en el futuro?
24 ¿Quién entregó a Jacob al despojo,
Y a Israel a los saqueadores?
¿No fue el Señor, contra quien pecamos?
En Sus caminos no quisieron andar(BD),
Ni obedecieron Su ley(BE).
25 Por eso derramó sobre él el ardor de Su ira
Y la violencia de la batalla.
Le prendió fuego por todos lados(BF),
Pero él no se dio cuenta;
Lo consumió, pero él no hizo caso[o](BG).
Footnotes
- Isaías 42:1 O a los gentiles.
- Isaías 42:3 O el derecho.
- Isaías 42:4 O el derecho.
- Isaías 42:4 O islas.
- Isaías 42:5 Lit. expande.
- Isaías 42:5 O y su vegetación.
- Isaías 42:8 O ídolos.
- Isaías 42:9 Lit. broten.
- Isaías 42:10 O costas.
- Isaías 42:12 O islas.
- Isaías 42:15 O costas.
- Isaías 42:17 O imágenes talladas.
- Isaías 42:19 O el consagrado.
- Isaías 42:22 O agujeros.
- Isaías 42:25 Lit. no lo puso en el corazón.
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The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
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Nueva Biblia de las Américas (NBLA) 
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