Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹ When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,^[a]
we were like those who dream.^(A)
2 Our mouths were filled with laughter then,^(B)
and our tongues with shouts of joy.^(C)
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”^(D)
3 The Lord had done great things for us;
we were joyful.^(E)

43 Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel^(A)—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;^(B)
I have called you by your name; you are mine.^(C)
2 When you pass through the waters,^(D)
I will be with you,^(E)
and the rivers will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire,^(F)
you will not be scorched,
and the flame will not burn you.
³ For I am the Lord your God,^(G)
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.^(H)
I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
⁴ Because you are precious in my sight^(I)
and honored, and I love you,^(J)
I will give people in exchange for you
and nations instead of your life.
⁵ Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,^(K)
and gather you from the west.^(L)
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,^(M)
and my daughters from the ends of the earth^(N)—
⁷ everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”