Listen to me, O coastlands,
\nand give attention, you peoples from afar.
\nThe LORD called me from the womb,
\nfrom the body of my mother he named my name.
\nHe made my mouth like a sharp sword;
\nin the shadow of his hand he hid me;
\nhe made me a polished arrow;
\nin his quiver he hid me away.
\nAnd he said to me, \u201cYou are my servant,
\nIsrael, in whom I will be glorified.\u201d
\nBut I said, \u201cI have labored in vain;
\nI have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
\nyet surely my right is with the LORD,
\nand my recompense with my God.\u201d
\nAnd now the LORD says,
\nhe who formed me from the womb to be his servant,
\nto bring Jacob back to him;
\nand that Israel might be gathered to him\u2014
\nfor I am honored in the eyes of the LORD,
\nand my God has become my strength\u2014
\nhe says:
\n\u201cIt is too light a thing that you should be my servant
\nto raise up the tribes of Jacob
\nand to bring back the preserved of Israel;
\nI will make you as a light for the nations,
\nthat my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.\u201d
\nThus says the LORD,
\nthe Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One,
\nto one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation,
\nthe servant of rulers:
\n\u201cKings shall see and arise;
\nprinces, and they shall prostrate themselves;
\nbecause of the LORD, who is faithful,
\nthe Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.\u201d
\n(Isaiah 49:1-7 ESV)<\/p>\n
The Lord GOD has given me
\nthe tongue of those who are taught,
\nthat I may know how to sustain with a word
\nhim who is weary.
\nMorning by morning he awakens;
\nhe awakens my ear
\nto hear as those who are taught.
\nThe Lord GOD has opened my ear,
\nand I was not rebellious;
\nI turned not backward.
\nI gave my back to those who strike,
\nand my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
\nI hid not my face
\nfrom disgrace and spitting.
\nBut the Lord GOD helps me;
\ntherefore I have not been disgraced;
\ntherefore I have set my face like a flint,
\nand I know that I shall not be put to shame.
\nHe who vindicates me is near.
\nWho will contend with me?
\nLet us stand up together.
\nWho is my adversary?
\nLet him come near to me.
\nBehold, the Lord GOD helps me;
\nwho will declare me guilty?
\nBehold, all of them will wear out like a garment;
\nthe moth will eat them up.
\nWho among you fears the LORD
\nand obeys the voice of his servant?
\nLet him who walks in darkness
\nand has no light
\ntrust in the name of the LORD
\nand rely on his God.
\nBehold, all you who kindle a fire,
\nwho equip yourselves with burning torches!
\nWalk by the light of your fire,
\nand by the torches that you have kindled!
\nThis you have from my hand:
\nyou shall lie down in torment.
\n(Isaiah 50:4-11 ESV)<\/p>\n