Isaiah 49:4-6

Contemporary English Version

⁴ I said to myself,
“I'm completely worn out;
    my time has been wasted.
But I did it for the Lord God,
    and he will reward me.”

⁵ Even before I was born,
    the Lord God chose me
to serve him and to lead back
    the people of Israel.
So the Lord has honored me
    and made me strong.

^6 (A) Now the Lord says to me,
“It isn't enough for you
    to be merely my servant.
You must do more than lead back
survivors from the tribes
    of Israel.
I have placed you here as a light
    for other nations;
you must take my saving power
    to everyone on earth.”