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God Calls His Special Servant

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.
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.
He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.
    I will show my glory through you.”
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.”

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The Servant of the Lord

49 Listen(A) to me, you islands;(B)
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born(C) the Lord called(D) me;
    from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.(E)
He made my mouth(F) like a sharpened sword,(G)
    in the shadow of his hand(H) he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow(I)
    and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant,(J)
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.(K)
But I said, “I have labored in vain;(L)
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,(M)
    and my reward(N) is with my God.”(O)

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