Daily Bible CEV July 15 Verses

The Work of the LORD's Servant

Isaiah 49 Everyone, listen, even you foreign nations

across the sea.

The LORD chose me and gave me a name

before I was born.

²He made my words pierce like a sharp sword

or a pointed arrow;

he kept me safely hidden in the palm of his hand.

³The LORD said to me, "Israel, you are my servant;

and because of you I will be highly honored."

⁴I said to myself, "I'm completely worn out;

my time has been wasted.

But I did it for the LORD God,

and he will reward me."

⁵Even before I was born, the LORD God chose me

to serve him and to lead back the people of Israel.

So the LORD has honored me and made me strong.

⁶Now the LORD says to me, "It isn't enough for you

to be merely my servant.

You must do more than lead back survivors

from the tribes of Israel.

I have placed you here as a light for other nations;

you must take my saving power to everyone on earth."

The LORD Will Rescue His People

⁷Israel, I am the holy LORD God,

the one who rescues you.

You are slaves of rulers

and of a nation who despises you.

Now this is what I promise:

Kings and rulers will honor you

by kneeling at your feet.

You can trust me! I am your LORD,

the holy God of Israel,

and you are my chosen ones.

The LORD Will Lead His People Home

⁸This is what the LORD says: I will answer your prayers

because I have set a time when I will help

by coming to save you.

I have chosen you to take my promise of hope

to other nations.

You will rebuild the country from its ruins,

then people will come and settle there.

⁹You will set prisoners free from dark dungeons

to see the light of day.

On their way home, they will find plenty to eat,

even on barren hills.

¹⁰They won't go hungry or get thirsty;

they won't be bothered by the scorching sun

or hot desert winds.

I will be merciful while leading them along

to streams of water.

¹¹I will level the mountains and make roads.

¹²Then my people will return from distant lands

in the north and the west

and from the city of Syene.

The LORD's Mercy

¹³Tell the heavens and the earth to celebrate and sing;

command every mountain to join in the song.

The LORD's people have suffered,

but he has shown mercy and given them comfort.

These daily Bible readings from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) are published by BibleNetUSA. The web site and BibleCard® designs are by iCreative. BibleCard® images copyright iCreative. All rights reserved.