Isaiah 42

₁Here is my servant!

I have made him strong.

He is my chosen one;

I am pleased with him.

I have given him my Spirit,

and he will bring justice

to the nations.

₂He won't shout or yell

or call out in the streets.

₃He won't break off a bent reed

or put out a dying flame,

but he will make sure

that justice is done.

₄He won't stop or give up

until he brings justice

everywhere on earth,

and people in foreign nations

long for his teaching.

₅I am the LORD God.

I created the heavens

like an open tent above.

I made the earth and everything

that grows on it.

I am the source of life

for all who live on this earth,

so listen to what I say.

₆I chose you to bring justice,

and I am here at your side.

I selected and sent you

to bring light

and my promise of hope

to the nations.

₇You will give sight

to the blind;

you will set prisoners free

from dark dungeons.

₈My name is the LORD!

I won't let idols or humans

share my glory and praise.

₉Everything has happened

just as I said it would;

now I will announce

what will happen next.

₁₀Tell the whole world to sing

a new song to the LORD!

Tell those who sail the ocean

and those who live far away

to join in the praise.

₁₁Tell the tribes of the desert

and everyone in the mountains

to celebrate and sing.

₁₂Let them announce

his praises everywhere.

₁₃The LORD is marching out

like an angry soldier,

shouting with all his might

while attacking his enemies.

₁₄For a long time, I, the LORD,

have held my temper;

now I will scream and groan

like a woman giving birth.

₁₅I will destroy the mountains

and what grows on them;

I will dry up rivers and ponds.

₁₆I will lead the blind on roads

they have never known;

I will guide them on paths

they have never travelled.

Their road is dark and rough,

but I will give light

to keep them from stumbling.

This is my solemn promise.

₁₇Everyone who worships idols

as though they were gods

will be terribly ashamed.

₁₈You people are deaf and blind,

but the LORD commands you

to listen and to see.

₁₉No one is as blind or deaf

as his messenger,

his chosen servant,

₂₀who sees and hears so much,

but pays no attention.

₂₁The LORD always does right,

and so he wanted his Law

to be greatly praised.

₂₂But his people were trapped

and imprisoned in holes

with no one to rescue them.

All they owned had been taken,

and no one was willing

to give it back.

₂₃Why won't his people

ever learn to listen?

₂₄Israel sinned and refused

to obey the LORD

or follow his instructions.

So the LORD let them be robbed

of everything they owned.

₂₅He was furious with them

and punished their nation

with the fires of war.

Still they paid no attention.

They didn't even care

when they were surrounded

and scorched by flames.