<p class="poetry">Listen to me, O Jacob,p> <p class="poetry">Israel, whom I summoned!p> <p class="poetry">I am the one;p> <p class="poetry">I am present at the very beginningp> <p class="poetry">and at the very end.<n id="1" />p>

Then the <sc>Lordsc> said, &#8220;Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?<n id="1" />

<p class="poetry">I too will answer my part,p> <p class="poetry">I too will explain what I know.p>

<p class="poetry">Look, I am just like you in relation to God;p> <p class="poetry">I too have been molded<n id="1" /> from clay.p>

<p class="poetry">I, I have spoken &#8211;p> <p class="poetry">yes, I have summoned him;p> <p class="poetry">I lead him and he will succeed.<n id="1" />p>

<t /><p class="poetry">&#8220;See now that I, indeed I, am he!&#8221; says the <sc>Lordsc>,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;and there is no other god besides me.p> <p class="poetry">I kill and give life,p> <p class="poetry">I smash and I heal,p> <p class="poetry">and none can resist<n id="2" /> my power.p>

<p class="poetry">So I thought to myself, &#8220;The fate of the fool will happen even to me!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively<n id="2" /> wise?&#8221;<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">So I lamented to myself,<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;The benefits of wisdom<n id="5" /> are ultimately<n id="6" /> meaningless!&#8221;p>

<p class="poetry">Even when you are old, I will take care of you,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">even when you have gray hair, I will carry you.p> <p class="poetry">I made you and I will support you;p> <p class="poetry">I will carry you and rescue you.<n id="2" />p>

I myself will also walk in hostility against you and strike you<n id="1" /> seven times on account of your sins.

<p class="poetry">Yes, <sc>Lordsc>! I am indeed your servant;p> <p class="poetry">I am your lowest slave.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">You saved me from death.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">For I am the <sc>Lordsc> your God,p> <p class="poetry">the one who takes hold of your right hand,p> <p class="poetry">who says to you, &#8216;Don&#8217;t be afraid, I am helping you.&#8217;p>

I will establish my covenant with you, and then you will know that I am the <sc>Lordsc>.

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;&#8216;This will be their inheritance: I am their inheritance, and you must give them no property in Israel; I am their property.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;You must be sure to do my commandments.<n id="1" /> I am the <sc>Lordsc>.

<p class="poetry">I was eyes for the blindp> <p class="poetry">and feet for the lame;p>

<p class="poetry">I<n id="1" /> will reply to you,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">and to your friends with you.p>

<p class="poetry">When<n id="1" /> I am afraid,p> <p class="poetry">I trust in you.p>

<p class="poetry">I had faith when I said,p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;I am severely oppressed.&#8221;p>

<p class="poetry">I rashly declared,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;All men are liars.&#8221;p>

<p class="poetry">Their hearts are calloused,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but I find delight in your law.p>