God’s Servants

And again:

“Hearken, O ye house of Israel,
all ye that are broken off
and are driven out
because of the wickedness of the pastors of my people;

“Yea, all ye that are broken off,
that are scattered abroad,
who are of my people, O house of Israel.

“Listen, O isles, unto me, and hearken ye people from far.

“The Lord hath called me from the womb;
from the bowels of my mother
hath he made mention of my name.

“And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword;
in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me,
and made me a polished shaft;
in his quiver hath he hid me;

“And said unto me: Thou art my servant, O Israel,
in whom I will be glorified.

“Then I said, I have labored in vain,
I have spent my strength for naught and in vain;
surely my judgment is with the Lord,
and my work with my God.”

And now, saith the Lord—
that formed me from the womb
that I should be his servant,
to bring Jacob again to him—
though Israel be not gathered,
yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,
and my God shall be my strength.

And he said:

“It is a light thing that thou shouldst be my servant
to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel.
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles,
that thou mayest be my salvation
unto the ends of the earth.

“Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One,
to him whom man despiseth,
to him whom the nation abhorreth,
to servant of rulers:

“Kings shall see and arise,
princes also shall worship,
because of the Lord that is faithful.”