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The Lord's Promise to Israel

44 People of Israel,
I have chosen you
    as my servant.
I am your Creator.
You were in my care
    even before you were born.
Israel, don't be terrified!
You are my chosen servant,
    my very favorite.[a]

I will bless the thirsty land
    by sending streams of water;
I will bless your descendants
    by giving them my Spirit.
They will spring up like grass[b]
or like willow trees
    near flowing streams.
They will worship me
    and become my people.
They will write my name
    on the back of their hands.[c]

(A) I am the Lord All-Powerful,
the first and the last,
    the one and only God.
Israel, I have rescued you!
    I am your King.
Can anyone compare with me?
If so, let them speak up
    and tell me now.
Let them say what has happened
since I made my nation
    long ago,
and let them tell
    what is going to happen.[d]
Don't tremble with fear!
Didn't I tell you long ago?
    Didn't you hear me?
I alone am God—
no one else is a mighty rock.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. 44.2 my very favorite: Or “Jeshurun.”
  2. 44.4 like grass: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  3. 44.5 write … hands: To show that they belong to the Lord and to Israel.
  4. 44.7 Let them say … happen: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  5. 44.8 mighty rock: See the note at 17.10.

Israel the Chosen

44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,(A)
    Israel, whom I have chosen.(B)
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.
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)
They will spring up like grass(N) in a meadow,
    like poplar trees(O) by flowing streams.(P)
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.

The Lord, Not Idols

“This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King(T) and Redeemer,(U) the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;(V)
    apart from me there is no God.(W)
Who then is like me?(X) Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell(Y) what will come.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim(Z) this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God(AA) besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock;(AB) I know not one.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 44:2 Jeshurun means the upright one, that is, Israel.

The Lord Won't Forget His People

21 People of Israel,
you are my servant,
    so remember all of this.
Israel, I created you,
and you are my servant.
    I won't forget you.[a]
22 Turn back to me!
    I have rescued you
and swept away your sins
    as though they were clouds.

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Footnotes

  1. 44.21 I won't forget you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.

21 “Remember(A) these things, Jacob,
    for you, Israel, are my servant.(B)
I have made you, you are my servant;(C)
    Israel, I will not forget you.(D)
22 I have swept away(E) your offenses like a cloud,
    your sins like the morning mist.
Return(F) to me,
    for I have redeemed(G) you.”

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