Isaiah 41:2-8

2“Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.

3He pursues them and moves on unscathed, by a path his feet have not traveled before.

4Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord—with the first of them and with the last—I am he.”

5The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;

6they help each other and say to their companions, “Be strong!”

7The metalworker encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer spurs on the one who strikes the anvil. One says of the welding, “It is good.” The other nails down the idol so it will not topple.

8“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,