Isaiah 49 good news bible

Here is Isaiah 49 in the Good News Bible (GNB):

Isaiah 49

The Servant of the Lord

1 This is what the Lord says: "You are my servant, Israel, and you will be called the prince of Jacob. I will bring you back to the land of your ancestors and restore you. You will rebuild the cities that were once destroyed and live in them. 2 You will plant vineyards and eat the grapes. You will sing songs of joy and praise the Lord. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 3 You will say to me, 'You are my God, who saves me.' You will trust in me and not be afraid. For I, the Lord, am your God, and I will give you honor. 4 You will not be ashamed or disgraced. You will not be afraid, for you will not be forgotten by me. 5 I, the Lord, am the one who helps you. I am the one who rescues you. I am the one who says, 'You are my servant, Israel, and you will be called the prince of Jacob. I will give you honor, even though you have not known me. 6 I will give you honor, and you will be a covenant people, a light to the nations, to bring honor to me. You will not be ashamed or disgraced. You will not be afraid, for you will not be forgotten by me. 7 This is what the Lord says: 'The people I have chosen will be my witnesses, and you will be my servant to bring honor to me. You will say to the nations, "The Lord has saved his servant Jacob." They will not be ashamed, for they will not be forgotten by me. 8 I will give you the treasures of the nations, and you will store up the riches of the kings. You will honor me, and I will give you honor. 9 You will not be ashamed or disgraced, for you will not be forgotten by me. You will be a covenant people, a light to the nations, to bring honor to me. 10 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, shout it from the rooftops. Say to the people, 'The Lord has saved his servant Jacob.' 11 They will rejoice and be glad, and they will sing songs of joy. The iron bars of their prison will break, and they will be free. 12 The Lord has worked for the sake of his servant Jacob. He will make his way prosperous, and he will give him honor.

The Lord's Compassion

13 This is what the Lord says: 'In a very short time, I will make you strong and give you honor. You will be a covenant people, a light to the nations, to bring honor to me. 14 You will be like a lamp that is lit, shining brightly for all to see. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising sun. 15 You will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets to live in. If you go through the water, I will be with you, and if you go through rivers, they will not sweep over you. If you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not set you ablaze. 16 You will sing songs of joy, and you will be happy, for you will be at peace. You will rest in safety, and no one will make you afraid. 17 But you will forget the shame of your youth, and you will no longer remember the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is his name. He is your God, who says, 'You are my servant, Israel, and you will be called the prince of Jacob. I will give you honor, even though you have not known me. 18 You will not forget the covenant of your God, and you will not forget the covenant of your Maker. You will remember the covenant of your God, and you will not forget the covenant of your Maker, from the time you were formed until the time you are old.