Isaiah 41:8-20

8“But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend,

9I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.

10Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

11“See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing.

12You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing.

13For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

14Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’

15You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains.

16You will toss them into the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. Then you will rejoice in the Lord. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

17“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.

18I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.

19I will plant trees in the barren desert— cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.

20I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means— that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.