Isaiah 41:4-14

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

⁴ Who has performed and done this,
    calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am first,
    and will be with the last.
⁵ The coastlands have seen and are afraid,
    the ends of the earth tremble;
    they have drawn near and come.
⁶ Each one helps the other,
    saying to one another, “Take courage!”
⁷ The artisan encourages the goldsmith,
    and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good”;
    and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
⁸ But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
⁹ you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
    and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
    I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
¹⁰ do not fear, for I am with you,
    do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.