Isaiah 43:1-3

The Lord Will Rescue His People

43:1 Now, this is what the Lord says,

the one who created you, O Jacob,

and formed you, O Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, for I will protect ¹  you.

I call you by name, you are mine.

43:2 When you pass through the waters, I am with you;

when you pass ²  through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not harm ³  you.

43:3 For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, ⁴  your deliverer.

I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price,

Ethiopia and Seba ⁵  in place of you.

[43:1]  ¹ tn Or “redeem.” See the note at 41:14. Cf. NCV “saved you”; CEV “rescued you”; NLT “ransomed you.”

[43:2]  ² tn The verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[43:2]  ³ tn Heb “burn” (so NASB); NAB, NRSV, NLT “consume”; NIV “set you ablaze.”

[43:3]  ⁴ sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.

[43:3]  ⁵ sn Seba is not the same as Sheba in southern Arabia; cf. Gen 1:10; 1 Chr 1:9.