And he said, It is a small thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the desolations of Israel: I will also give [a]thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the world.

Thus saith the Lord the redeemer of Israel, and his holy One, to him that is despised in soul, to a nation that is abhorred, to a [b]servant of rulers, Kings shall see, and [c]arise, and princes shall worship, because of the Lord, that is faithful: and the holy One of Israel, which hath chosen thee.

Thus saith the Lord, [d]In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and will give [e]thee for a covenant of the people, that thou mayest raise up the [f]earth, and obtain the inheritance of the desolate heritages:

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 49:6 To declare my Gospel, to the Gentiles, Isa. 42:6; Acts 13:47; Luke 2:32.
  2. Isaiah 49:7 Meaning, the Jews, whom tyrants kept in bondage.
  3. Isaiah 49:7 The benefit of their deliverance shall be so great, that great and small shall acknowledge it, and reverence God for it.
  4. Isaiah 49:8 Thus he speaketh of his Church when he would show his mercy toward it, 2 Cor. 6:2.
  5. Isaiah 49:8 Meaning, Christ alone.
  6. Isaiah 49:8 Signifying, that before Christ renew the earth by his word, there is nothing but confusion and disorder.

he says:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant(A)
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.(B)
I will also make you a light(C) for the Gentiles,(D)
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”(E)

This is what the Lord says—
    the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel(F)
to him who was despised(G) and abhorred by the nation,
    to the servant of rulers:
“Kings(H) will see you and stand up,
    princes will see and bow down,(I)
because of the Lord, who is faithful,(J)
    the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen(K) you.”

Restoration of Israel

This is what the Lord says:

“In the time of my favor(L) I will answer you,
    and in the day of salvation I will help you;(M)
I will keep(N) you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people,(O)
to restore the land(P)
    and to reassign its desolate inheritances,(Q)

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