Add parallel Print Page Options

The Lord Will Rescue His People

43 Now, this is what the Lord says,
the one who created you, O Jacob,
and formed you, O Israel:
“Don’t be afraid, for I will protect[a] you.
I call you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I am with you;
when you pass[b] through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not harm[c] you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel,[d] your deliverer.
I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price,
Ethiopia and Seba[e] in place of you.
Since you are precious and special in my sight,[f]
and I love you,
I will hand over people in place of you,
nations in place of your life.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
From the east I will bring your descendants;
from the west I will gather you.
I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’
and to the south, ‘Don’t hold any back!’
Bring my sons from distant lands,
and my daughters from the remote regions of the earth,
everyone who belongs to me,[g]
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed—yes, whom I made.

The Lord Declares His Sovereignty

Bring out the people who are blind, even though they have eyes,
those who are deaf, even though they have ears!
All nations gather together,
the peoples assemble.
Who among them announced this?
Who predicted earlier events for us?[h]
Let them produce their witnesses to testify they were right;
let them listen and affirm, “It is true.”
10 You are my witnesses,” says the Lord,
“my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may consider[i] and believe in me,
and understand that I am he.
No god was formed before me,
and none will outlive me.[j]
11 I, I am the Lord,
and there is no deliverer besides me.
12 I decreed and delivered and proclaimed,
and there was no other god among you.
You are my witnesses,” says the Lord, “that I am God.
13 From this day forward I am he;
no one can deliver from my power;[k]
I will act, and who can prevent it?”

The Lord Will Do Something New

14 This is what the Lord says,
your Protector,[l] the Holy One of Israel:[m]
“For your sake I send to Babylon
and make them all fugitives,[n]
turning the Babylonians’ joyful shouts into mourning songs.[o]
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,[p]
the one who created Israel, your king.”
16 This is what the Lord says,
the one who made a road through the sea,
a pathway through the surging waters,
17 the one who led chariots and horses to destruction,[q]
together with a mighty army.
They fell down,[r] never to rise again;
they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick:
18 “Don’t remember these earlier events;[s]
don’t recall these former events.

19 Look, I am about to do something new.
Now it begins to happen![t] Do you not recognize[u] it?
Yes, I will make a road in the wilderness
and paths[v] in the wastelands.
20 The wild animals[w] honor me,
the jackals and ostriches,
because I put water in the wilderness
and streams in the wastelands,
to quench the thirst of my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself,
so they might praise me.[x]

The Lord Rebukes His People

22 “But you did not call for me, O Jacob;
you did not long[y] for me, O Israel.
23 You did not bring me lambs for your burnt offerings;
you did not honor me with your sacrifices.
I did not burden you with offerings;
I did not make you weary by demanding[z] incense.
24 You did not buy me aromatic reeds;[aa]
you did not present to me[ab] the fat of your sacrifices.
Yet you burdened me with your sins;
you made me weary with your evil deeds.[ac]
25 I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake;
your sins I do not remember.
26 Remind me of what happened. Let’s debate!
You, prove to me that you are right![ad]
27 The father of your nation[ae] sinned;
your spokesmen[af] rebelled against me.
28 So I defiled your holy princes,
and handed Jacob over to destruction,
and subjected[ag] Israel to humiliating abuse.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 43:1 tn Or “redeem.” See the note at 41:14. Cf. NCV “saved you”; CEV “rescued you”; NLT “ransomed you.”
  2. Isaiah 43:2 tn The verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
  3. Isaiah 43:2 tn Heb “burn” (so NASB); NAB, NRSV, NLT “consume”; NIV “set you ablaze.”
  4. Isaiah 43:3 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
  5. Isaiah 43:3 sn Seba is not the same as Sheba in southern Arabia; cf. Gen 1:10; 1 Chr 1:9.
  6. Isaiah 43:4 tn Heb “Since you are precious in my eyes and you are honored.”
  7. Isaiah 43:7 tn Heb “everyone who is called by my name” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).
  8. Isaiah 43:9 tn Heb “and the former things he was causing us to hear?”
  9. Isaiah 43:10 tn Or “know” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
  10. Isaiah 43:10 tn Heb “and after me, there will not be”; NASB “there will be none after Me.”
  11. Isaiah 43:13 tn Heb “hand” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “No one can oppose what I do.”
  12. Isaiah 43:14 tn Or “kinsman redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.
  13. Isaiah 43:14 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
  14. Isaiah 43:14 tn Heb “and I bring down [as] fugitives all of them.”
  15. Isaiah 43:14 tn The Hebrew text reads literally, “as for the Babylonians, in ships their joyful shout.” This might be paraphrased, “even the Babylonians in the ships [over which] they joyfully shouted.” The point would be that the Lord caused the Babylonians to flee for safety in the ships in which they took such great pride. A slight change in vocalization yields the reading “into mourning songs,” which provides a good contrast with “joyful shout.” The prefixed bet (בְּ) would indicate identity.
  16. Isaiah 43:15 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
  17. Isaiah 43:17 tn Heb “led out chariots and horses.” The words “to destruction” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The verse refers to the destruction of the Egyptians at the Red Sea.
  18. Isaiah 43:17 tn Heb “lay down”; NAB “lie prostrate together”; CEV “lie dead”; NRSV “they lie down.”
  19. Isaiah 43:18 tn Heb “the former things” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “forget all that.”
  20. Isaiah 43:19 tn Heb “sprouts up”; NASB “will spring forth.”
  21. Isaiah 43:19 tn Or “know” (KJV, ASV); NASB “be aware of”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “perceive.”
  22. Isaiah 43:19 tn The Hebrew text has “streams,” probably under the influence of v. 20. The Qumran scroll 1QIsaa has נתיבות (“paths”).
  23. Isaiah 43:20 tn Heb “animals of the field.”
  24. Isaiah 43:21 tn Heb “[so] they might declare my praise.”
  25. Isaiah 43:22 tn Or “strive”; KJV, ASV, NRSV “been weary of me.”
  26. Isaiah 43:23 tn Heb “with.” The words “by demanding” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
  27. Isaiah 43:24 tn That is, “calamus” (so NIV); NCV, TEV, NLT “incense”; CEV “spices.”
  28. Isaiah 43:24 tn Heb “you did not saturate me”; NASB “Neither have you filled Me.”
  29. Isaiah 43:24 sn In vv. 22-24 the Lord appears to be condemning his people for failure to bring the proper sacrifices. However, this is problematic. If this refers to the nation’s behavior while in exile, such cultic service was impossible and could hardly be expected by the Lord. If this refers to the nation’s conduct before the exile, it contradicts other passages that depict Israel as bringing excessive sacrifices (see, e.g., Isa 1:11-14; Jer 6:20; Amos 4:4-5; 5:21-23). Rather than being a condemnation of Israel’s failure to bring sacrifices, these verses are better taken as a highly rhetorical comment on the worthlessness of Israel’s religious ritual. They may have brought sacrifices, but not to the Lord, for he did not accept them or even want them. See C. R. North, Second Isaiah, 127, and R. Whybray, Isaiah 40-66 (NCBC), 91.
  30. Isaiah 43:26 tn Heb “you, tell in order that you may be right”; NAB “prove your innocence.”
  31. Isaiah 43:27 tn Heb “your first father.” This could refer to Abraham (see 51:2), but elsewhere in Isaiah he does not appear in a negative light (see 29:22; 41:8; 63:16). A more likely candidate is Jacob/Israel, also referred to as the nation’s “father” elsewhere (see 58:14; 63:16).
  32. Isaiah 43:27 tn On the meaning of the term לִיץ (lits), see HALOT 590 s.v. מֵלִיץ. This may refer to the nation’s prophets, priests, and/or kings.
  33. Isaiah 43:28 tn The word “subjected” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

Nangako ang Dios na Iligtas ang Israel

43 Pero ito ngayon ang sinasabi ng Panginoong lumikha sa iyo, O Israel: “Huwag kang matakot dahil ililigtas kita.[a] Tinawag kita sa pangalan mo, at ikaw ay akin. Kapag dumaan ka sa tubig, akoʼy kasama mo. Kapag tatawid ka ng mga ilog, hindi ka malulunod. Kapag dumaan ka sa apoy, hindi ka masusunog; at ang liyab nito ay hindi makakapinsala sa iyo. Sapagkat ako ang Panginoon mong Dios, ang Banal na Dios ng Israel, na iyong Tagapagligtas. Ibibigay ko sa ibang bansa ang Egipto, ang Etiopia,[b] at ang Seba bilang kapalit mo. Ibibigay ko ang ibang mga tao bilang kapalit mo, dahil ikaw ay marangal at mahalaga sa aking paningin, at dahil mahal kita. Huwag kang matatakot dahil kasama mo ako. Titipunin ko ang iyong mga lahi mula sa silangan hanggang sa kanluran. Sasabihin ko sa mga bansa sa hilaga at sa timog na hayaang bumalik sa kanilang lupain ang iyong mga lahi, at hayaang umuwi saan mang sulok ng mundo. Sila ang mga taong aking tinawag. Nilikha ko sila para sa aking karangalan.”

Sinabi pa ng Panginoon, “Tawagin mo ang aking mga mamamayan na may mga mata, pero hindi makakita; may mga tainga, pero hindi makarinig. Tawagin mo ang lahat ng mamamayan ng mga bansa. Sino sa mga dios-diosan nila ang makakahula tungkol sa hinaharap? Sino sa kanila ang makapagsasabi tungkol sa mga nangyayari ngayon? Isama nila ang kanilang mga saksi para patunayan ang kanilang sinasabi, upang ang mga makakarinig ay makapagsasabing, ‘Totoo nga.’ 10 Mga mamamayan ng Israel, kayo ang aking mga saksi. Pinili ko kayong maging mga lingkod ko, para makilala ninyo ako at magtiwala kayo sa akin, at para maunawaan ninyo na ako lamang ang Dios. Walang ibang Dios na nauna sa akin, at wala ring Dios na susunod pa sa akin. 11 Ako lang ang Panginoon at maliban sa akin ay wala nang iba pang Tagapagligtas. 12 Nagpahayag ako na ililigtas ko kayo, at tinupad ko nga ito. Walang ibang Dios na gumawa nito sa inyo, kayo ang mga saksi ko.”

Sinabi pa ng Panginoon, “Ako ang Dios. 13 Mula pa noon ako na ang Dios. Walang makakatakas sa aking mga kamay. Walang makakapagbago ng mga ginagawa ko.”

Nangako ang Dios na Tutulungan niya ang Kanyang mga Mamamayan

14 Ito ang sinasabi ng Panginoon ninyong Tagapagligtas, ang Banal na Dios ng Israel, “Para maligtas kayo, ipapasalakay ko ang Babilonia[c] sa mga sundalo ng isang bansa, at tatakas sila sa pamamagitan ng mga barkong kanilang ipinagmamalaki. 15 Ako ang Panginoon, ang inyong Banal na Dios, ang lumikha sa Israel, ang inyong Hari. 16 Ako ang Panginoon na gumawa ng daan sa gitna ng dagat. 17 Tinipon ko ang mga karwahe, mga kabayo, at mga sundalo ng Egipto, at winasak sa gitna ng dagat at hindi na sila nakabangon pa. Para silang ilaw na namatay. 18 Pero huwag na ninyong iisipin pa ang nakaraan, 19 dahil bagong bagay na ang gagawin ko. Itoʼy nangyayari at nakikita na ninyo. Gagawa ako ng daan at mga bukal sa disyerto. 20 Pararangalan ako ng maiilap na hayop, pati na ng mga asong-gubat[d] at mga kuwago, dahil maglalagay ako ng mga bukal sa disyerto para may mainom ang mga pinili kong mamamayan. 21 Sila ang mga taong aking nilikha para sa akin at para magpuri sa akin.

22 “Pero hindi ka humingi ng tulong sa akin, Israel, at ayaw mo na sa akin. 23 Hindi ka na nag-aalay sa akin ng mga tupang handog na sinusunog. Hindi mo na ako pinararangalan ng iyong mga handog kahit na hindi kita pinahirapan o pinagod sa paghingi ng mga handog na regalo at mga insenso. 24 Hindi mo ako ibinili ng mga insenso o pinagsawa sa mga taba ng hayop na iyong mga handog. Sa halip, pinahirapan mo ako at pinagod sa iyong mga kasalanan.

25 “Ako mismo ang naglilinis ng mga kasalanan mo para sa aking karangalan, at hindi ko na iyon aalalahanin pa. 26 Isipin natin ang mga nakaraan. Magharap tayo. Patunayan mong wala kang kasalanan. 27 Nagkasala sa akin ang mga ninuno mo, at nagrebelde sa akin ang iyong mga pinuno. 28 Kaya inilagay ko sa kahihiyan ang iyong mga pari, at ikaw, Israel ay ipinaubaya ko sa kapahamakan at kahihiyan.

Footnotes

  1. 43:1 ililigtas kita: o, iniligtas na kita.
  2. 43:3 Etiopia: sa Hebreo, Cush.
  3. 43:14 Babilonia: sa literal, Caldeo. Ito ang isa pang tawag sa mga taga-Babilonia.
  4. 43:20 asong-gubat: sa Ingles, “jackal.”

Israel’s Only Savior

43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created(A) you, Jacob,
    he who formed(B) you, Israel:(C)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed(D) you;
    I have summoned you by name;(E) you are mine.(F)
When you pass through the waters,(G)
    I will be with you;(H)
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,(I)
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.(J)
For I am the Lord your God,(K)
    the Holy One(L) of Israel, your Savior;(M)
I give Egypt(N) for your ransom,
    Cush[a](O) and Seba(P) in your stead.(Q)
Since you are precious and honored(R) in my sight,
    and because I love(S) you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
    nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid,(T) for I am with you;(U)
    I will bring your children(V) from the east
    and gather(W) you from the west.(X)
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
    and to the south,(Y) ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters(Z) from the ends of the earth(AA)
everyone who is called by my name,(AB)
    whom I created(AC) for my glory,(AD)
    whom I formed and made.(AE)

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,(AF)
    who have ears but are deaf.(AG)
All the nations gather together(AH)
    and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold(AI) this
    and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
    so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,(AJ)” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant(AK) whom I have chosen,
so that you may know(AL) and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me no god(AM) was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.(AN)
11 I, even I, am the Lord,(AO)
    and apart from me there is no savior.(AP)
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
    I, and not some foreign god(AQ) among you.
You are my witnesses,(AR)” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13     Yes, and from ancient days(AS) I am he.(AT)
No one can deliver out of my hand.
    When I act, who can reverse it?”(AU)

God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness

14 This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer,(AV) the Holy One(AW) of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
    and bring down as fugitives(AX) all the Babylonians,[b](AY)
    in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the Lord,(AZ) your Holy One,
    Israel’s Creator,(BA) your King.(BB)

16 This is what the Lord says—
    he who made a way through the sea,
    a path through the mighty waters,(BC)
17 who drew out(BD) the chariots and horses,(BE)
    the army and reinforcements together,(BF)
and they lay(BG) there, never to rise again,
    extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:(BH)
18 “Forget the former things;(BI)
    do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!(BJ)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness(BK)
    and streams in the wasteland.(BL)
20 The wild animals(BM) honor me,
    the jackals(BN) and the owls,
because I provide water(BO) in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21     the people I formed(BP) for myself(BQ)
    that they may proclaim my praise.(BR)

22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
    you have not wearied(BS) yourselves for[c] me, Israel.(BT)
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,(BU)
    nor honored(BV) me with your sacrifices.(BW)
I have not burdened(BX) you with grain offerings
    nor wearied you with demands(BY) for incense.(BZ)
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus(CA) for me,
    or lavished on me the fat(CB) of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
    and wearied(CC) me with your offenses.(CD)

25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
    your transgressions,(CE) for my own sake,(CF)
    and remembers your sins(CG) no more.(CH)
26 Review the past for me,
    let us argue the matter together;(CI)
    state the case(CJ) for your innocence.
27 Your first father(CK) sinned;
    those I sent to teach(CL) you rebelled(CM) against me.
28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
    I consigned Jacob to destruction[d](CN)
    and Israel to scorn.(CO)

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region
  2. Isaiah 43:14 Or Chaldeans
  3. Isaiah 43:22 Or Jacob; / surely you have grown weary of
  4. Isaiah 43:28 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.