Isaiah 44:1-8

1‘Israelites, Jacob's descendants, listen to me! I have chosen you to be my servant.’

2The Lord created you. Before you were born, he was already taking care of you. He will continue to help you. He says to you, ‘Do not be afraid, my servant, Jacob. I call you “Jeshurun”, and I have chosen you to belong to me.

3I will pour water onto land that is thirsty. I will pour streams of water on the dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and I will bless them.

4They will grow up like fresh grass in a field. They will grow like willow trees beside a river.

5Someone will say, “I belong to the Lord.” Another person will call himself by the name “Jacob”. Someone else will write on his hand, “I am the Lord's”, and he will call himself “Israel”.’

6The Lord is Israel's King and Redeemer. He is the Lord Almighty. He says, ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God, except me.

7Is there anyone like me? If there is, he should say so! He must tell me why he thinks he is so great. Long ago I made my people become a nation. Let him say what he has done since then! Let him tell us what will happen in future years!

8My people, do not shake with fear. Long ago I told you about things that would happen. You can tell people the truth about me. You know that I am the only true God. There is no other Rock to keep you safe. There surely is no other God except me.’