Isaiah 49:1-7

New International Version

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)
²He 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.
³He said to me, “You are my servant,^(J)
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.^(K)”
⁴But 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)

⁵And 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)—
⁶he 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)

⁷This 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

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

Isaiah 50:4-11

New International Version

⁴The Sovereign Lord^(A) has given me a well-instructed tongue,^(B)
    to know the word that sustains the weary.^(C)
He wakens me morning by morning,^(D)
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.^(E)
⁵The Sovereign Lord^(F) has opened my ears;^(G)
    I have not been rebellious,^(H)
    I have not turned away.
⁶I offered my back to those who beat^(I) me,
    my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard;^(J)
I did not hide my face
    from mocking and spitting.^(K)
⁷Because the Sovereign Lord^(L) helps^(M) me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,^(N)
    and I know I will not be put to shame.^(O)
⁸He who vindicates^(P) me is near.^(Q)
    Who then will bring charges against me?^(R)
    Let us face each other!^(S)
Who is my accuser?
    Let him confront me!
⁹It is the Sovereign Lord^(T) who helps^(U) me.
    Who will condemn^(V) me?
They will all wear out like a garment;
    the moths^(W) will eat them up.

¹⁰Who among you fears^(X) the Lord
    and obeys^(Y) the word of his servant?^(Z)
Let the one who walks in the dark,
    who has no light,^(AA)
trust^(AB) in the name of the Lord
    and rely on their God.
¹¹But now, all you who light fires
    and provide yourselves with flaming torches,^(AC)
go, walk in the light of your fires^(AD)
    and of the torches you have set ablaze.
This is what you shall receive from my hand:^(AE)
    You will lie down in torment.^(AF)