42 1 The obedience and humility of Christ. 6 Why he was sent into the world. 11 The vocation of the Gentiles.

Behold, [a]my servant: [b]I will stay upon him: mine elect, in whom my soul [c]delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him: he shall bring forth [d]judgment to the Gentiles.

He shall not [e]cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

A [f]bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking [g]flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment in [h]truth.

He shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have [i]set judgment in the earth: and the [j]isles shall wait for his Law.

Thus saith God the Lord (he that created the heavens and spread them abroad: he that stretched forth the earth, and the buds thereof: he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein)

I the Lord have called thee in [k]righteousness, and will hold [l]thine hand, and I will keep thee, and give thee for a [m]covenant of the people, and for a light of the Gentiles,

That thou mayest open the eyes of the blind, and bring out the prisoners from the prison: and them that sit in darkness, out of the prison house.

I am the Lord, this is my Name, and my [n]glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Behold, the former things are [o]come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they come forth, I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the isles and the inhabitants thereof.

11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the towns that [p]Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rocks sing: let them shout from the top of the mountains.

12 Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands.

13 The Lord shall go forth as a [q]giant; he shall stir up his courage like a man of war: he shall shout and cry, and shall prevail against his enemies.

14 I have a long time held my peace: I have been still and refrained myself; now will I cry like a [r]travailing woman: I will destroy and devour at once.

15 I will make waste mountains, and hills, and dry up all their herbs, and I will make the floods islands, and I will dry up the pools.

16 ¶ And I will bring the [s]blind by a way, that they knew not, and lead them by paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

17 They shall be turned back: they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, and say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.

18 ¶ Hear, ye deaf: and ye blind, regard, that ye may see.

19 Who is blind but my [t]servant? or deaf as my [u]messenger, that I sent? who is blind as the [v]perfect, and blind as the Lord’s servant?

20 Seeing many things, but thou keepest them not? opening the ears, but he heareth not?

21 The Lord is willing for his righteousness sake, that he may magnify the Law and exalt it.

22 But this people is [w]robbed and spoiled, and shall be all snared in dungeons, and they shall be hid in prison houses; they shall be for prey, and none shall deliver: a spoil, and none shall say, [x]Restore.

23 Who among you shall hearken to this, and take heed, and hear for [y]afterwards?

24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? Did not the Lord, because we have sinned against him? for they would not walk in his ways, neither be obedient unto his Law.

25 Therefore he hath poured upon him his fierce wrath, and the strength of battle; and it set him on fire round about, and he knew not, and it burned him up, yet he considered not.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 42:1 That is, Christ, who in respect of his manhood is called here servant. The Prophets used to make mention of Christ after that they have declared any great promise, because he is the foundation whereupon all the promises are made and ratified.
  2. Isaiah 42:1 For I have committed all my power to him, as to a most faithful steward: Some read, I will establish him: to wit, in his office by giving him the fullness of my Spirit.
  3. Isaiah 42:1 He only is acceptable to me, and they that come unto me by him: for there is no other means of reconciliation, Matt. 12:18; Eph. 4:1.
  4. Isaiah 42:1 He shall declare himself governor over the Gentiles, and call them by his word, and rule them by his Spirit.
  5. Isaiah 42:2 His coming shall not be with pomp and noise, as earthly princes.
  6. Isaiah 42:3 He will not hurt the weak and feeble, but support and comfort them.
  7. Isaiah 42:3 Meaning, the wick of a lamp, or candle which is almost out, but he will cherish it and snuff it, that it may shine brighter.
  8. Isaiah 42:3 Although he favor the weak, yet will he not spare the wicked, but will judge them according to truth and equity.
  9. Isaiah 42:4 Till he have set all things in good order.
  10. Isaiah 42:4 The Gentiles shall be desirous to receive his doctrine.
  11. Isaiah 42:6 Meaning, unto a lawful and just vocation.
  12. Isaiah 42:6 To assist and guide thee.
  13. Isaiah 42:6 As him, by whom the promise made to all nations in Abraham shall be fulfilled.
  14. Isaiah 42:8 I will not suffer my glory to be diminished: which I should do if I were not faithful in performing the same, and the idolaters thereby would extol their idols above me.
  15. Isaiah 42:9 As in time past I have been true in my promises, so will I be in time to come.
  16. Isaiah 42:11 Meaning, the Arabians, under whom he comprehendeth all the people of the East.
  17. Isaiah 42:13 He showeth the zeal of the Lord, and his power in the conservation of his Church.
  18. Isaiah 42:14 I will haste to execute my vengeance, which I have so long deferred as a woman that desireth to be delivered, when she is in travail.
  19. Isaiah 42:16 That is, my poor people, which are in perplexity and care.
  20. Isaiah 42:19 To wit, Israel, which should have most light because of my Law.
  21. Isaiah 42:19 The Priest to whom my word is committed, which should not only hear it himself, but cause others to hear it.
  22. Isaiah 42:19 As the Priests and Prophets that should be lights to others?
  23. Isaiah 42:22 Because they will not acknowledge this benefit of the Lord, who is ready to deliver them, he suffereth them to be spoiled of their enemies through their own fault and incredulity.
  24. Isaiah 42:22 There shall be none to succor them, or to will the enemy to restore that which he hath spoiled.
  25. Isaiah 42:23 Meaning, God’s wrath.

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