³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way^(A) for the Lord^[a];
make straight^(B) in the desert
    a highway for our God.^[b](C)
4 Every valley shall be raised up,^(D)
    every mountain and hill^(E) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,^(F)
    the rugged places a plain.
⁵ And the glory^(G) of the Lord will be revealed,
    and all people will see it together.^(H)
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”^(I)

⁶ A voice says, “Cry out.”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”

“All people are like grass,^(J)
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
⁷ The grass withers^(K) and the flowers fall,
    because the breath^(L) of the Lord blows^(M) on them.
    Surely the people are grass.
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers^(N) fall,
    but the word^(O) of our God endures^(P) forever.^(Q)”

⁸ “But you, Israel, my servant,^(A)
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,^(B)
    you descendants of Abraham^(C) my friend,^(D)
9 I took you from the ends of the earth,^(E)
    from its farthest corners I called^(F) you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;^(G)
    I have chosen^(H) you and have not rejected you.
¹⁰ So do not fear,^(I) for I am with you;^(J)
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen^(K) you and help^(L) you;
    I will uphold you^(M) with my righteous right hand.^(N)

¹¹ “All who rage^(O) against you
    will surely be ashamed and disgraced;^(P)
those who oppose^(Q) you
    will be as nothing and perish.^(R)
12 Though you search for your enemies,
    you will not find them.^(S)
Those who wage war against you
    will be as nothing^(T) at all.
¹³ For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand^(U)
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help^(V) you.