Isaiah 43:16-21

New International Reader's Version

¹⁶ Long ago the Lord opened
    a way for his people to go through the Red Sea.
    He made a path through the mighty waters.
¹⁷ He caused Egypt to send out its chariots and horses.
    He sent its entire army to its death.
Its soldiers lay down there.
    They never got up again.
    They were destroyed.
They were blown out like a dimly burning flame.
    But the Lord says,
¹⁸ “Forget the things that happened in the past.
    Do not keep on thinking about them.
¹⁹ I am about to do something new.
    It is beginning to happen even now.
    Don’t you see it coming?
I am going to make a way for you to go through the desert.
    I will make streams of water in the dry and empty land.
²⁰ Even wild dogs and owls honor me.
    That is because I provide water in the desert
    for my people to drink.
I cause streams to flow in the dry and empty land
    for my chosen ones.
²¹ I do it for the people I made for myself.
    I want them to sing praise to me.