Isaiah 49:6-8

Easy-to-Read Version

⁶And now he says, “You are a very important servant to me.
    You must bring back to me the tribes of Jacob.
    You must bring back the people of Israel who are still alive.
But I have something else for you to do that is even more important:
    I will make you a light for the other nations.
    You will show people all over the world the way to be saved.”

⁷The Lord, the Holy Protector of Israel, speaks to his servant.
    People hate that servant.
Nations despise him.
    He is now a slave to rulers.
The Lord says to him,
    “Kings will see you and stand to honor you.
    Great leaders will bow down to you.”

This will happen for the Lord. The Holy One of Israel is the one who chose you, and he can be trusted.

The Day of Salvation

⁸This is what the Lord says:
“There will be a special time when I show my kindness.
    Then I will answer your prayers.
There will be a special day when I will save you.
    Then I will help you and protect you.
    And you will be the proof of my agreement with the people.
The country is destroyed now,
    but you will give the land back to the people who own it.