Israel Redeemed and Gathered

Isaiah 43

The Lord declares himself Israel's Redeemer, who will gather his scattered people from every direction and calls Israel to be his witnesses that he alone is God and Savior. He also reproaches Israel's past neglect of him while offering to blot out their transgressions for his own sake.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonSTILL however thus saith the Lord, the God Who made thee O Jacob, and Who formed thee, O Israel! fear not. Because I have redeemed thee—have called thee by thy name—thou art Mine;

BrentonAnd now thus saith the Lord God that made thee, O Jacob, and formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν οὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ποιήσας σε Ἰακὼβ, καὶ ὁ πλάσας σε Ἰσραὴλ, μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι ἐλυτρωσάμην σε, ἐκάλεσά σε τὸ ὄνομά σου· ἐμὸς εἶ σύ.

KJVBut now thus saith the LORD 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.

JPSBut now thus saith the LORD 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.

Thomsontherefore when thou passest through water, I am with thee, and the streams shall not overwhelm thee: and when thou passest through fire, thou shalt not be burned up—the flame shall not quite consume thee.

BrentonAnd if thou pass through water, I am with thee; and the rivers shall not overflow thee: and if thou go through fire, thou shalt not be burned; the flame shall not burn thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐὰν διαβαίνῃς διʼ ὕδατος, μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι, καὶ ποταμοὶ οὐ συνκλύσουσί σε· καὶ ἐὰν διέλθῃς διὰ πυρὸς, οὐ μὴ κατακαυθῇς, φλὸξ οὐ κατακαύσει σε.

KJVWhen 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.

JPSWhen 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.

ThomsonBecause I the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel am thy Saviour, I have given Egypt for thy ransom and Ethiopia and Soena in thy stead.

BrentonFor I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, that saves thee: I have made Egypt and Ethiopia thy ransom, and given Soene for thee.

GreekὍτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ὁ ἅγιος Ἰσραὴλ, ὁ σώζων σε· ἐποίησα ἄλλαγμά σου Αἴγυπτον καὶ Αἰθιοπίαν, καὶ Σοήνην ὑπὲρ σοῦ.

KJVFor I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

JPSFor I am the LORD thy God, The Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour; I have given Egypt as thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

ThomsonBecause thou hast been precious in My sight—hast been honoured and I loved thee; therefore I will give men for thee and chiefs for thy life.

BrentonSince thou becamest precious in my sight, thou hast become glorious, and I have loved thee: and I will give men for thee, and princes for thy life.

GreekΑφʼ οὗ ἔντιμος ἐγένου ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ, ἐδοξάσθης, καὶ ἐγώ σε ἠγάπησα, καὶ δώσω ἀνθρώπους ὑπὲρ σοῦ, καὶ ἄρχοντας ὑπὲρ τῆς κεφαλῆς σου.

KJVSince thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

JPSSince 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.

ThomsonFear not. Because I am with thee, from the east I will bring thy seed, and gather thee together from the west:

BrentonFear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and will gather thee from the west.

GreekΜὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι· ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἄξω τὸ σπέρμα σου, καὶ ἀπὸ δυσμῶν συνάξω σε.

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

JPSFear not, for I am with thee; I will bring thy seed from the east, And gather thee from the west;

ThomsonI will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep thou not back; bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the ends of the earth—

BrentonI will say to the north, Bring; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from the land afar off, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

GreekἘρῶ τῷ Βοῤῥᾷ, ἄγε, καὶ τῷ Λιβὶ, μὴ κώλυε· ἄγε τοὺς υἱούς μου ἀπὸ τῆς πόῤῥωθεν, καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας μου ἀπʼ ἄκρων τῆς γῆς,

KJVI will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

JPSI 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;

Thomsonall that are called by My name. For I have prepared him for My glory, I have fashioned him and made him,

Brentoneven all who are called by my name: for I have prepared him for my glory, and I have formed him, and have made him:

Greekπάντας ὅσοι ἐπικέκληνται τῷ ὀνόματί μου· ἐν γὰρ τῇ δόξῃ μου κατεσκεύασα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔπλασα αὐτὸν, καὶ ἐποίησα αὐτὸν,

KJVEven every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

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

Thomsonand have brought out a blind people: for their eyes are as if they were blind; and they are deaf, though they have ears.

Brentonand I have brought forth the blind people; for their eyes are alike blind, and they that have ears are deaf.

Greekκαὶ ἐξήγαγον λαὸν τυφλὸν, καὶ ὀφθαλμοί εἰσιν ὡσαύτως τυφλοὶ, καὶ κωφοὶ τὰ ὦτα ἔχοντες.

KJVBring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

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

Thomson(p) All the nations were assembled together; now let all the archons be assembled: can any among them announce these things? Or can any tell you these things before hand? Let them produce their witnesses and be justified, and let them hear and tell things true.

BrentonAll the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them: who will declare these things? or who will declare to you things from the beginning? let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth.

GreekΠάντα τὰ ἔθνη συνήχθησαν ἅμα, καὶ συναχθήσονται ἄρχοντες ἐξ αὐτῶν· τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ταῦτα; ἢ τὰ ἐξ ἀρχῆς τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν; ἀγαγέτωσαν τοῦς μάρτυρας αὐτῶν καὶ δικαιωθήτωσαν, καὶ ἀκουσάτωσαν, καὶ εἰπάτωσαν ἀληθῆ.

KJVLet all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.

JPSAll 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.’

Thomson(J) Be you witnesses for Me: and as for Me I Myself am a witness saith the Lord God; and this servant of Mine whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe and understand that with respect to Me,

BrentonBe ye my witnesses, and I too am a witness, saith the Lord God, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am he: before me there was no other God, and after me there shall be none.

GreekΓένεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες, καὶ ἐγὼ μάρτυς, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ ὁ παῖς μου ὃν ἐξελεξάμην, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ πιστεύσητε, καὶ συνῆτε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι· ἔμπροσθέν μου οὐκ ἐγένετο ἄλλος Θεὸς, καὶ μετʼ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔσται.

KJVYe are my witnesses, saith the LORD, 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 God formed, neither shall there be after me.

JPSYe are My witnesses, saith the LORD, 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 God formed, neither shall any be after Me.

ThomsonThe I Am, There is no other God before Me; and after Me none will exist. I am God and there is no Saviour besides Me.

BrentonI am God; and beside me there is no Saviour.

GreekἘγὼ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι πάρεξ ἐμοῦ σώζων.

KJVI, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.

JPSI, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no saviour.

ThomsonI have announced and saved; I reproached when there was no strange god among you. You are witnesses for Me;

BrentonI have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange god among you: ye are my witnesses, and I am the Lord God,

GreekἘγὼ ἀνήγγειλα καὶ ἔσωσα, ὠνείδισα καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀλλότριος· ὑμεῖς ἐμοὶ μάρτυρες, καὶ ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς

KJVI have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.

JPSI have declared, and I have saved, and I have announced, and there was no strange god among you; therefore ye are My witnesses, saith the LORD, and I am God.

Thomsonand I the Lord am still the same God from the beginning; and there is none who can rescue out of My hands. I will act; and who can prevent it—

Brentoneven from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of my hands: I will work, and who shall turn it back?

Greekἔτι ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν μου ὁ ἐξαιρούμενος· ποιήσω, καὶ τίς ἀποστρέψει αὐτό;

KJVYea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

JPSYea, 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?

ThomsonThus saith the Lord, the God Who redeemed you, the Holy One of Israel. For your sakes I will send to Babylon, and rouse up all who are fleeing; and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.

BrentonThus saith the Lord God that redeems you, the Holy One of Israel; For your sakes I will send to Babylon, and I will stir up all that flee, and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.

GreekΟὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ λυτρούμενος ὑμᾶς, ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ, ἕνεκεν ὑμῶν ἀποστελῶ εἰς Βαβυλῶνα, καὶ ἐπεγερῶ φεύγοντας πάντας, καὶ Χαλδαῖοι ἐν πλοίοις δεθήσονται.

KJVThus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

JPSThus saith the LORD, 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.

ThomsonI am the Lord God, your Holy One, Who pointed out Israel your king.

BrentonI am the Lord God, your Holy One, who have appointed for Israel your king.

GreekἘγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἅγιος ὑμῶν, ὁ καταδείξας Ἰσραὴλ βασιλέα ὑμῶν.

KJVI am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.

JPSI am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord Who made a highway in a sea, and a path in the mighty water;

BrentonThus saith the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty water;

GreekΟὕτως λέγει Κύριος, ὁ διδοὺς ἐν θαλάσσῃ ὁδὸν, καὶ ἐν ὕδατι ἰσχυρῷ τρίβον,

KJVThus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;

JPSThus saith the LORD, who maketh a way in the sea, And a path in the mighty waters;

ThomsonWho brought out chariots and horses and a mighty host, but they lay down to sleep and shall rise no more: they were extinguished like an extinguished taper.

Brentonwho brought forth chariots and horse, and a mighty multitude: but they have lain down, and shall not rise: they are extinct, as quenched flax.

Greekὁ ἐξαγαγὼν ἅρματα καὶ ἵππον καὶ ὄχλον ἰσχυρον· ἀλλʼ ἐκοιμήθησαν, καὶ οὐκ ἀναστήσονται, ἐσβέσθησαν ὡς λῖνον ἐσβεσμένον.

KJVWhich bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.

JPSWho 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:

ThomsonMention not these former things, nor reason from the things of old.

BrentonRemember ye not the former things, and consider not the ancient things.

GreekΜὴ μνημονεύετε τὰ πρῶτα, καὶ τὰ ἀρχαῖα μὴ συλλογίζεσθε.

KJVRemember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

JPSRemember ye not the former things, Neither consider the things of old.

ThomsonBehold I am in act to do new things, which shall now spring up and you shall know them—I will make a way in the wilderness, and streams of water in the desert.

BrentonBehold, I will do new things, which shall presently spring forth, and ye shall know them: and I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land.

GreekἸδοὺ ἐγὼ ποιῶ καινὰ, ἃ νῦν ἀνατελεῖ, καὶ γνώσεσθε αὐτά· καὶ ποιήσω ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὁδὸν, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀνύδρῳ ποταμούς.

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

JPSBehold, 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.

ThomsonThe wild beasts of the field will bless Me—the sirens and the daughters of the ostrich; because I have given water in the wilderness, and flowing streams in the desert, to give drink to this race of Mine which I have chosen—

BrentonThe beasts of the field shall bless me, the owls and young ostriches; for I have given water in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land, to give drink to my chosen race,

GreekΕὐλογήσουσί με τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, σειρῆνες, καὶ θυγατέρες στρουθῶν, ὅτι ἔδωκα ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὕδωρ, καὶ ποταμοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀνύδρῳ, ποτίσαι τὸ γένος μου τὸ ἐκλεκτὸν,

KJVThe beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

JPSThe 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;

ThomsonMy people whom I have preserved to recount My praises.

Brentoneven my people whom I have preserved to tell forth my praises.

Greekλαόν μου ὃν περιεποιησάμην τὰς ἀρετάς μου διηγεῖσθαι.

KJVThis people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

JPSThe people which I formed for Myself, That they might tell of My praise.

ThomsonI had not now called upon thee, Jacob, nor caused thee Israel, to weary thyself:

BrentonI have not now called thee, O Jacob; neither have I made thee weary, O Israel.

GreekΟὐ νῦν ἐκάλεσά σε Ἰακὼβ, οὐδὲ κοπιάσαι σε ἐποίησα Ἰσραήλ.

KJVBut thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.

JPSYet thou hast not called upon Me, O Jacob, Neither hast thou wearied thyself about Me, O Israel.

Thomsonthou hadst not brought Me thy sheep of thy whole burnt offering; nor honoured Me with thine incense offerings: I had not burdened thee with sacrifices of flour; nor wearied thee with demands of frankincense:

BrentonThou hast not brought me the sheep of thy whole-burnt-offering; neither hast thou glorified me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with sacrifices, neither have I wearied thee with frankincense.

GreekΟὐκ ἤνεγκάς μοι πρόβατά σου τῆς ὁλοκαρπώσεώς σου, οὐδὲ ἐν ταῖς θυσίαις σου ἐδόξασάς με· οὐκ ἐδούλωσά σε ἐν θυσίαις, οὐδὲ ἔγκοπον ἐποίησά σε ἐν λιβάνῳ,

KJVThou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.

JPSThou 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.

Thomsonnor hadst thou purchased with silver perfumes for Me; nor had I desired the suet of thy sacrifices: but thou stoodest before Me in thy sins and in thine iniquities.

BrentonNeither hast thou purchased for me victims for silver, neither have I desired the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou didst stand before me in thy sins, and in thine iniquities.

Greekοὐδὲ ἐκτήσω μοι ἀργυρίου θυσίασμα, οὐδὲ τὸ στέαρ τῶν θυσιῶν σου ἐπεθύμησα· ἀλλὰ ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις σου προέστης μου, καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἀδικίαις σου.

KJVThou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.

JPSThou 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.

ThomsonI even I, The I Am, am He Who blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine Own sake; and of thy sins I will no more make mention: but do thou mention them and let us be judged; do thou first state thy transgressions, that thou mayst be acquitted.

BrentonI, even I, am he that blots out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and thy sins; and I will not remember them.

GreekἘγώ εἰμι ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ἐξαλείφων τὰς ἀνομίας σου ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ, καὶ τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου, καὶ οὐ μὴ μνησθήσομαι.

KJVI, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

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

Thomson—

BrentonBut do thou remember, and let us plead together: do thou first confess thy transgressions, that thou mayest be justified.

GreekΣὺ δὲ μνήσθητι, καὶ κριθῶμεν· λέγε σὺ τὰς ἀνομίας σου πρῶτος, ἵνα δικαιωθῇς.

KJVPut me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

JPSPut Me in remembrance, let us plead together; Declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

ThomsonYour fathers first, then your chiefs transgressed against Me.

BrentonYour fathers first, and your princes have transgressed against me.

GreekΟἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν πρῶτοι, καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν ἠνόμησαν εἰς ἐμέ.

KJVThy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.

JPSThy first father sinned, And thine intercessors have transgressed against Me.

ThomsonWhen the chiefs polluted My sanctuary, then I gave up Jacob to be destroyed, and Israel to reproach.

BrentonAnd the princes have defiled my sanctuaries: so I gave Jacob to enemies to destroy, and Israel to reproach.

GreekΚαὶ ἐμίαναν οἱ ἄρχοντες τὰ ἅγιά μου· καὶ ἔδωκα ἀπωλέσαι Ἰακὼβ, καὶ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς ὀνειδισμόν.

KJVTherefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.

JPSTherefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, And I have given Jacob to condemnation, And Israel to reviling.