Isaiah 43:1-13

1Now this is what the Lord says — the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel  — “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.

2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.

3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior. I have given Egypt as a ransom for you, Cush and Seba in your place.

4Because you are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you, I will give people in exchange for you and nations instead of your life.

5Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west.

6I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth  —

7everyone who bears my name and is created for my glory. I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

8Bring out a people who are blind, yet have eyes, and are deaf, yet have ears.

9All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled. Who among them can declare this, and tell us the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate themselves, so that people may hear and say, “It is true.”

10“You are my witnesses”  — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me.

11I — I am the Lord. Besides me, there is no Savior.

12I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed — and not some foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and I am God.

13Also, from today on I am he alone, and none can rescue from my power. I act, and who can reverse it?”