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I formerly believed that I had labored in vain
    and had exhausted my strength for nothing
    and for no discernible purpose.
Yet now the Lord has spoken;
    he formed me in the womb to be his servant
so that I could bring back Jacob to him
    and enable Israel to be gathered to him.
For I am honored in the sight of the Lord,
    and my God is the source of my strength.
It is not enough for you to be my servant, he says,
    to raise up the tribes of Jacob
    and to bring back the survivors of Israel.
I will make you a light to the nations
    so that my salvation may reach
    to the ends of the earth.

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But I said, “I have labored in vain;(A)
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,(B)
    and my reward(C) is with my God.”(D)

And now the Lord says—
    he who formed me in the womb(E) to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
    and gather Israel(F) to himself,
for I am[a] honored(G) in the eyes of the Lord
    and my God has been my strength(H)
he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant(I)
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.(J)
I will also make you a light(K) for the Gentiles,(L)
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”(M)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 49:5 Or him, / but Israel would not be gathered; / yet I will be