Isaiah 41:1-9

New International Version

The Helper of Israel

41 “Be silent^(A) before me, you islands!^(B)
Let the nations renew their strength!^(C)
Let them come forward^(D) and speak;
let us meet together^(E) at the place of judgment.

²“Who has stirred^(F) up one from the east,^(G)
    calling him in righteousness^(H) to his service^[a]?^(I)
He hands nations over to him
    and subdues kings before him.
He turns them to dust^(J) with his sword,
    to windblown chaff^(K) with his bow.^(L)
³He pursues them and moves on unscathed,^(M)
    by a path his feet have not traveled before.
⁴Who has done this and carried it through,
    calling^(N) forth the generations from the beginning?^(O)
I, the Lord—with the first of them
    and with the last^(P)—I am he.^(Q)”

⁵The islands^(R) have seen it and fear;
    the ends of the earth^(S) tremble.
They approach and come forward;
⁶    they help each other
    and say to their companions, “Be strong!^(T)”
⁷The metalworker^(U) encourages the goldsmith,^(V)
    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.^(W)

⁸“But you, Israel, my servant,^(X)
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,^(Y)
    you descendants of Abraham^(Z) my friend,^(AA)
⁹I took you from the ends of the earth,^(AB)
    from its farthest corners I called^(AC) you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;^(AD)
    I have chosen^(AE) you and have not rejected you.