The Servant of the Lord

42 “Here is my servant,(A) whom I uphold,
    my chosen one(B) in whom I delight;(C)
I will put my Spirit(D) on him,
    and he will bring justice(E) to the nations.(F)
He will not shout or cry out,(G)
    or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed(H) he will not break,(I)
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.(J)
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;(K)
    he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice(L) on earth.
    In his teaching(M) the islands(N) will put their hope.”(O)

This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens,(P) who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth(Q) with all that springs from it,(R)
    who gives breath(S) to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called(T) you in righteousness;(U)
    I will take hold of your hand.(V)
I will keep(W) you and will make you
    to be a covenant(X) for the people
    and a light(Y) for the Gentiles,(Z)
to open eyes that are blind,(AA)
    to free(AB) captives from prison(AC)
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.(AD)

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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)

And now the Lord says—
    he who formed me in the womb(P) to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
    and gather Israel(Q) to himself,
for I am[a] honored(R) in the eyes of the Lord
    and my God has been my strength(S)
he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant(T)
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.(U)
I will also make you a light(V) for the Gentiles,(W)
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”(X)

This is what the Lord says—
    the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel(Y)
to him who was despised(Z) and abhorred by the nation,
    to the servant of rulers:
“Kings(AA) will see you and stand up,
    princes will see and bow down,(AB)
because of the Lord, who is faithful,(AC)
    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen(AD) you.”

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 49:5 Or him, / but Israel would not be gathered; / yet I will be

The Sovereign Lord(A) has opened my ears;(B)
    I have not been rebellious,(C)
    I have not turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat(D) me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;(E)
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.(F)
Because the Sovereign Lord(G) helps(H) me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,(I)
    and I know I will not be put to shame.(J)
He who vindicates(K) me is near.(L)
    Who then will bring charges against me?(M)
    Let us face each other!(N)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
It is the Sovereign Lord(O) who helps(P) me.
    Who will condemn(Q) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths(R) will eat them up.

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12 But you will not leave in haste(A)
    or go in flight;
for the Lord will go before you,(B)
    the God of Israel will be your rear guard.(C)

The Suffering and Glory of the Servant

13 See, my servant(D) will act wisely[a];
    he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.(E)
14 Just as there were many who were appalled(F) at him[b]
    his appearance was so disfigured(G) beyond that of any human being
    and his form marred beyond human likeness(H)
15 so he will sprinkle(I) many nations,[c]
    and kings(J) will shut their mouths(K) because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
    and what they have not heard, they will understand.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 52:13 Or will prosper
  2. Isaiah 52:14 Hebrew you
  3. Isaiah 52:15 Or so will many nations be amazed at him (see also Septuagint)

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