Isaiah 43

1 But now this is what the LORD says, the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: “Do not be afraid, because I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name; you are mine.ISV — Isaiah 43:1

2 When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. when you walk through fire you won’t be scorched, and the flame won’t set you ablaze.ISV — Isaiah 43:2

3 “I ^{a43:3 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab 4QIsag MT LXX read For I} am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Redeemer. ^{b43:3 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read Savior} And ^{c43:3 So 1QIsaa; the Heb. lacks And} I’ve given Egypt as your ransom, ^{d43:3 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab MT LXX read as your ransom Egypt} Cush and the people of Seba ^{e43:3 So 1QIsaa; 1QIsab 4QIsag MT read and Seba} in exchange for you.ISV — Isaiah 43:3

4 Since you’re precious in my sight and honored, and because I love you, I’m giving up people in your place, and nations in exchange for your life.”ISV — Isaiah 43:4

5 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you; I’ll bring your children from the east, and gather you from the west.ISV — Isaiah 43:5

6 I’ll say to the north, ‘Give them up’! and to the south, ‘Don’t keep them back!’ Bring ^{f43:6 1QIsaa employs masculine pl.; MT employs feminine pl.} my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth—ISV — Isaiah 43:6

7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom ^{g43:7 So 1QIsaa MT; 1QIsab reads and whom} I formed and made.ISV — Isaiah 43:7

8 “Bring out the people who are blind, yet still have eyes, who are deaf, yet still have ears!ISV — Isaiah 43:8

9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. “Who is there among them who ^{h43:9 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX lack who} can declare this, or announce ^{i43:9 So 1QIsaa; MT reads announce to us; LXX reads announce to you} the former things? Let them produce their witnesses to prove them right, and let them proclaim ^{j43:9 So 1QIsaa; MT reads hear} so people will say, ‘It’s true.’ISV — Isaiah 43:9

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and trust me and understand that I am the One. ^{k43:10 Or am he} Before me no God was formed, nor will there be one after me.ISV — Isaiah 43:10

11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.ISV — Isaiah 43:11

12 I’ve revealed and saved and proclaimed, when there was no foreign god among you — and you are my witnesses,” declares the LORD.ISV — Isaiah 43:12

13 “I am God; also ^{l43:13 So 1QIsaa; MT reads God—Yes,; cf. LXX} from ancient days ^{m43:13 Or from this day on,} I am the one. And there is no one who can deliver out of my hand; when I act, who can reverse it?”ISV — Isaiah 43:13

14 This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon, ^{n43:14 So 1QIsaa; 4QIsab MT each spell this line differently} and bring them all down as fugitives. Now as for the Babylonians, their ringing cry will become lamentation.ISV — Isaiah 43:14

15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Creator of Israel, and your King.”ISV — Isaiah 43:15

16 This is what the LORD says — who makes a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,ISV — Isaiah 43:16

17 who brings out chariots and horsemen, and ^{o43:17 So 1QIsaa LXX; the Heb. lacks and} armies and warriors at the same time. They lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a candle: ^{p43:17 Lit. linen wick}ISV — Isaiah 43:17

18 “Don’t remember ^{q43:18 1QIsaa employs second person sing.; MT LXX employ second person pl.} the former things; don’t dwell on things past.ISV — Isaiah 43:18

19 Watch! I’m about to carry out something new! And ^{r43:19 So 1QIsaa; the Heb. lacks And} now it’s springing up— don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the wilderness and paths ^{s43:19 So 1QIsaa; MT LXX read streams} in the desert.ISV — Isaiah 43:19

20 Wild animals, jackals, and owls ^{t43:20 Or ostriches} will honor me because I provide ^{u43:20 So 1QIsaa; MT reads have provided} water in the desert and streams in the wilderness to give drink to my people, my chosen ones, ^{v43:20 So 1QIsaa; MT reads my chosen people}ISV — Isaiah 43:20

21 the people whom I formed for myself and ^{w43:21 So 1QIsaa; 4QIsag lacks my chosen ones} so that they may speak ^{x43:21 So 1QIsaa; 4QIsag MT LXX read recount} my praise.”ISV — Isaiah 43:21

22 “And ^{y43:22 So 1QIsaa MT; MTmss lack And} yet you didn’t call upon me, Jacob; indeed, you are tired of me, Israel!ISV — Isaiah 43:22

23 You haven’t brought me your sheep for a burnt-offering, ^{z43:23 So 1QIsaa; MT reads for your burnt-offerings; or your burnt-offering} nor have you honored me with ^{aa43:23 So 1QIsaa LXX; implicit in MT} your sacrifices, nor have you made meal offerings for me ^{bb43:23 So 1QIsaa; 4QIsag MT read I have not burdened you with grain offerings; LXX lacks this line} — yet I have not tired you about incense!ISV — Isaiah 43:23

24 You ^{cc43:24 So 1QIsaa MT; 4QIsag reads And you} haven’t bought me sweet cane with money, nor have you satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices. You have only burdened me with your sins and made me tired with your iniquities.ISV — Isaiah 43:24

25 “I, I am the one who blots out your transgression ^{dd43:25 So 1QIsaa; MT reads transgressions; cf. LXX} for my own sake, and I’ll remember your sins no more. ^{ee43:25 So 1QIsaa; MT reads not remember your sins}ISV — Isaiah 43:25

26 Recount the brief! Let’s argue the matter together; Present your case, so that you may be proved right.ISV — Isaiah 43:26

27 Your first ancestor sinned, and your mediators rebelled against me.ISV — Isaiah 43:27

28 So I’ll disgrace the leaders of the Temple, and I’ll consign Jacob to total destruction ^{ff43:28 The Heb. term refers to involuntary dedication to God of the thing destroyed} and Israel to contempt.ISV — Isaiah 43:28