For I am the Lord your God, the one who takes hold of your right hand, who says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, I am helping you.’

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. From the east I will bring your descendants; from the west I will gather you.

They do not comprehend or understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see; their minds do not discern.

I remove the guilt of your rebellious deeds as if they were a cloud, the guilt of your sins as if they were a cloud. Come back to me, for I protect you.”

I do this so people will recognize from east to west that there is no God but me; I am the Lord, I have no peer.

Turn to me so you can be delivered, all you who live in the earth’s remote regions! For I am God, and I have no peer.

Remember what I accomplished in antiquity! Truly I am God, I have no peer; I am God, and there is none like me,

Indeed, they live in the holy city; they trust in the God of Israel, whose name is the Lord who commands armies.

I did this because I know how stubborn you are. Your neck muscles are like iron and your forehead like bronze.

For my sake alone I will act, for how can I allow my name to be defiled? I will not share my glory with anyone else!

Look at Abraham, your father, and Sarah, who gave you birth. When I summoned him, he was a lone individual, but I blessed him and gave him numerous descendants.

For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will not be redeemed for money.”

For this reason my people will know my name, for this reason they will know at that time that I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’”

In unison give a joyful shout, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord consoles his people; he protects Jerusalem.

For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your children will conquer nations and will resettle desolate cities.

“Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,

for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.

But the wicked are like a surging sea that is unable to be quiet; its waves toss up mud and sand.

For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with sin; your lips speak lies, your tongue utters malicious words.

“Arise! Shine! For your light arrives! The splendor of the Lord shines on you!