Isaiah 49:1-4

New Century Version

49 All of you people in faraway places, listen to me.
    Listen, all you nations far away.
Before I was born, the Lord called me to serve him.
    The Lord named me while I was still in my mother’s womb.
² He made my tongue like a sharp sword.
    He hid me in the shadow of his hand.
He made me like a sharp arrow.
    He hid me in the holder for his arrows.
³ He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.
    I will show my glory through you.”
⁴ But I said, “I have worked hard for nothing;
    I have used all my power, but I did nothing useful.
But the Lord will decide what my work is worth;
    God will decide my reward.”