⁵ This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens,^(A) who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth^(B) with all that springs from it,^(C)
    who gives breath^(D) to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
⁶ “I, the Lord, have called^(E) you in righteousness;^(F)
    I will take hold of your hand.^(G)
I will keep^(H) you and will make you
    to be a covenant^(I) for the people
    and a light^(J) for the Gentiles,^(K)
7 to open eyes that are blind,^(L)
    to free^(M) captives from prison^(N)
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.^(O)

¹⁸ “Forget the former things;^(A)
    do not dwell on the past.
¹⁹ See, I am doing a new thing!^(B)
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness^(C)
    and streams in the wasteland.^(D)