Ésaïe 49

1Listen to me, you coastlands! Now give my your attention, you distant peoples. 2He has made my mouth like a sharp sword; he hid me in the shadow of his hand; 3He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, through whom I show my glory.” 4But I replied, “Though I thought I have labored in vain, I have spent my energy for nothing, 5Now Yahweh has spoken—he who formed me from birth to be his servant, 6and he says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to reestablish the tribes of Jacob, 7This is what Yahweh says, the Redeemer of Israel, their Holy One, 8This is what Yahweh says, 9You will say to the prisoners, 'Come out;' to those in dark dungeons, 'Show yourselves.' 10They will not be hungry or thirsty; nor will the heat or sun beat on them, 11Then I will make all my mountains into a road, and make my highways level.” 12Look, these will come from far away, some from the north and the west; and others from the land of Sinim. 13Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth; break into singing, you mountains! 14But Zion said, “Yahweh has forsaken me, and the Lord has forgotten me.” 15“Can a woman forget her baby, nursing at her breast, so she does not have compassion on the son she has borne? 16Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms; your walls are continually before me. 17Your children are hurrying back, while those who destroyed you are going away. 18Look around and see, they are all gathering and coming to you. 19Though you were a waste and desolate, a land that was in ruins, 20The children born during the time of your bereavement will say in your hearing, 21Then you will ask yourself, 'Who has borne these children for me? 22This is what the Lord Yahweh says, 23Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursemaids; 24Can the spoils be taken from the warrior, or captives be rescued from the fierce? Instead of from the fierce , the Hebrew text has from the righteous , but most modern versions correct it to from the fierce . 25But this is what Yahweh says,