Isaiah 49:1-4

Expanded Bible

49 All of you ·people in faraway places [or islands; or coastlands], listen to me.
    ·Listen [Pay attention], all you nations far away.
·Before I was born [^LFrom the womb], the Lord called me to serve him.
    The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb [^Cthis passage (49:1–13) is the second of four “servant songs” in Isaiah; 42:1].
² He made my ·tongue [mouth] like a sharp sword [^Chis words enact judgment; 11:4; Heb. 4:12; Rev. 1:16].
    He hid me in the shadow of his hand.
He made me like a ·sharp [or polished] arrow.
    He hid me in ·the holder for his arrows [his quiver].
³ He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.
    I will show my glory ·through [in] you.”
⁴ But I said, “I have worked hard ·for nothing [in vain];
    I have used all my power, ·but I did nothing useful [for nothing; in futility].
But ·the Lord will decide what my work is worth [^Lmy judgment/vindication is the Lord’s];
    God will decide my reward.”