Isaiah 41:10, 1, 3-9, 2, 11-18

Don't be afraid, for I am with you! Don't be frightened for I, your God, will make you strong, and I will certainly help you. I will support you with my strong hand, acting for what is right.

Listen to me in silence, you people who live in lands beyond the sea. Let the nations regain their strength. Then let them come and speak, and let us join together for judgment.

He chases them down, and goes on unharmed, not following the usual routes. Who has achieved and done this, calling into existence each generation from the beginning of time? I, the Lord, the first and the last, I am the one. The islands watch in fear, the distant lands tremble. They get together and consult. They all help each other, encouraging one another to “Be strong!” The craftsman encourages the goldsmith; the one who beats out the metal with a hammer encourages the one hitting the anvil, saying the soldering is good. They nail the idol down so it won't fall over. But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, the ones I have chosen, descendants of my friend Abraham, I brought you back from distant lands, I called you back from faraway places, telling you, “You are my servants.” I have chosen you, and I have not abandoned you.

Who has encouraged this one from the east who is called into God's service to do what is right? He gives him nations, and helps him trample kings underfoot. He makes them like dust with his sword, and turns them into chaff with his bow, blown before him on the wind.

See—everyone who is angry with you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who fight against you will end up as nothing and die. Even though you look for your enemies, you won't find them. Those who attack you will become absolutely nothing. For I the Lord will grab you by the hand and tell you, “Don't be afraid! I myself will help you. Don't be frightened, Jacob, you little worm, you people of Israel, for I will help you,” declared the Lord your Savior, the Holy One of Israel. Look! I will make you into a new and sharp threshing device, with many pointed teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush the hills, turning them into chaff. You will throw them into the air, the wind will carry them away, and a storm will scatter them. Then you will be happy in the Lord, and boast about the Holy One of Israel. The poor and needy search for water, but don't find any—their tongues are dry with thirst. I, the Lord, will respond to them; I, the God of Israel, won't abandon them. I will open up rivers in the desolate highlands and springs in the valleys. I will make pools in the wilderness and springs in the desert.