The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Isaiah 43

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

Isaiah chapter 43 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “But now thus saith HaShem that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have…” — the complete text of all 28 verses is below, free to read online.

1But now thus saith HaShem that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art Mine.

2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

3For I am HaShem thy G-d, The Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour; I have given Egypt as thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

4Since thou art precious in My sight, and honourable, and I have loved thee; therefore will I give men for thee, and peoples for thy life.

5Fear not, for I am with thee; I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

6I will say to the north: 'Give up,' and to the south: 'Keep not back, bring My sons from far, and My daughters from the end of the earth;

7Every one that is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, I have formed him, yea, I have made him.'

8The blind people that have eyes shall be brought forth, and the deaf that have ears.

9All the nations are gathered together, and the peoples are assembled; who among them can declare this, and announce to us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; and let them hear, and say: 'It is truth.'

10Ye are My witnesses, saith HaShem, and My servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He; before Me there was no G-d formed, neither shall any be after Me.

11I, even I, am HaShem; and beside Me there is no saviour.

12I have declared, and I have saved, and I have announced, and there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are My witnesses, saith HaShem, and I am G-d.

13Yea, since the day was I am He, and there is none that can deliver out of My hand; I will work, and who can reverse it?

14Thus saith HaShem, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and I will bring down all of them as fugitives, even the Chaldeans, in the ships of their shouting.

15I am HaShem, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.

16Thus saith HaShem, who maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

17Who bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power--they lie down together, they shall not rise, they are extinct, they are quenched as a wick:

18Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20The beasts of the field shall honour Me, the jackals and the ostriches; because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, Mine elect;

21The people which I formed for Myself, that they might tell of My praise.

22Yet thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob, neither hast thou wearied thyself about Me, O Israel.

23Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle of thy burnt-offerings; neither hast thou honoured Me with thy sacrifices. I have not burdened thee with a meal-offering, nor wearied thee with frankincense.

24Thou hast bought Me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou satisfied Me with the fat of thy sacrifices; but thou hast burdened Me with thy sins, thou hast wearied Me with thine iniquities.

25I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake; and thy sins I will not remember.

26Put Me in remembrance, let us plead together; declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

27Thy first father sinned, and thine intercessors have transgressed against Me.

28Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and I have given Jacob to condemnation, and Israel to reviling.

28 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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