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He used me to speak for him.
He used me like a sharp sword,
    but he also held me in his hand to protect me.
He used me like a sharp arrow,
    but he also kept me safe in his arrow bag.

He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.
    I will do wonderful things with you.”

I said, “I worked hard for nothing.
    I wore myself out, but I did nothing useful.
I used all my power,
    but I did not really do anything.
So the Lord must decide what to do with me.
    He must decide my reward.”

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He made my mouth(A) like a sharpened sword,(B)
    in the shadow of his hand(C) he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow(D)
    and concealed me in his quiver.
He said to me, “You are my servant,(E)
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.(F)
But I said, “I have labored in vain;(G)
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,(H)
    and my reward(I) is with my God.”(J)

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