Jehovah calls out to His people Israel who have been redeemed as they forsake Babylon. As they leave Babylon from across the world and gather together, Jehovah promises to be with them and preserve them. He gives them His name and remakes them in His image.
1 But now, thus says Jehovah—
he who formed you, O Jacob,
he who created you, O Israel:
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you cross the waters, I will be with you;
when you traverse the rivers,
you shall not be overwhelmed.
Though you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned;
its flame shall not consume you.
3 For I Jehovah am your God,
I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior;
Egypt I have appointed as ransom for you,
Cush and Seba I give in place of you.
4 Because you are precious and revered in my eyes,
and because I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you.
I will bring your offspring from the east
and gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up!
to the south, Withhold not!
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth
7 all who are called by my name,
whom I have formed, molded and wrought
for my own glory.