Isaiah 43:1-7

1Israelites, descendants of Jacob, the Lord created you, and he made you who you are. Now he says this to you: ‘Do not be afraid, I have rescued you to belong to me. I have called you by your name, so now you are mine.

2When you go through deep water, I will be with you. When you cross dangerous rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, it will not burn you. The flames will not destroy you.

3I am the Lord, your God, so I will rescue you. I am Israel's Holy God, your Saviour. I gave Egypt as the price to buy you back. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to their enemies, so that you could be free.

4You are very valuable to me. You are my special people, and I love you. So I will give other people to their enemies, to keep your lives safe. Other nations will pay the price, instead of you.

5I am with you, so do not be afraid. I will bring your descendants from the east. I will also bring you together from the west.

6I will say to people in the north, “Give them back!” And I will say to people in the south, “Do not stop them!” Bring my sons from places that are far away. Bring my daughters from the ends of the earth.

7Bring back everyone who belongs to me. I created them, so that they would bring honour to me. I made them who they are. Yes, I made them!