43:2 When you pass through the waters, I am with you;
when you pass 1 through the streams, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;
the flames will not harm 2 you.
43:3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, 3 your deliverer.
I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price,
Ethiopia and Seba 4 in place of you.
43:4 Since you are precious and special in my sight, 5
and I love you,
I will hand over people in place of you,
nations in place of your life.
1 tn The verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
2 tn Heb “burn” (so NASB); NAB, NRSV, NLT “consume”; NIV “set you ablaze.”
3 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
4 sn Seba is not the same as Sheba in southern Arabia; cf. Gen 1:10; 1 Chr 1:9.
5 tn Heb “Since you are precious in my eyes and you are honored.”