Then what about a human being, that worm, that insect? What is a human life worth in God's eyes?

But I am no longer a human being; I am a worm, despised and scorned by everyone!

"The LORD did not love you and choose you because you outnumbered other peoples; you were the smallest nation on earth.

But the gate to life is narrow and the way that leads to it is hard, and there are few people who find it.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.

And Isaiah exclaims about Israel: "Even if the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea, yet only a few of them will be saved;

Israel's holy God, the LORD who saves you, says, "To save you, I will send an army against Babylon; I will break down the city gates, and the shouts of her people will turn into crying.

The LORD, who rules and protects Israel, the LORD Almighty, has this to say: "I am the first, the last, the only God; there is no other god but me.

"I am the LORD, your savior; I am the one who created you. I am the LORD, the Creator of all things. I alone stretched out the heavens; when I made the earth, no one helped me.

The holy God of Israel sets us free--- his name is the LORD Almighty.

The holy God of Israel, the LORD who saves you, says: "I am the LORD your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.

Israel's holy God and savior says to the one who is deeply despised, who is hated by the nations and is the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you released and will rise to show their respect; princes also will see it, and they will bow low to honor you." This will happen because the LORD has chosen his servant; the holy God of Israel keeps his promises.

I will make your oppressors kill each other; they will be drunk with murder and rage. Then all people will know that I am the LORD, the one who saves you and sets you free. They will know that I am Israel's powerful God."

Your Creator will be like a husband to you--- the LORD Almighty is his name. The holy God of Israel will save you--- he is the ruler of all the world.

I turned away angry for only a moment, but I will show you my love forever." So says the LORD who saves you.

The LORD says to his people, "I will come to Jerusalem to defend you and to save all of you that turn from your sins.

Nations and kings will care for you As a mother nurses her child. You will know that I, the LORD, have saved you, That the mighty God of Israel sets you free.

You are our father. Our ancestors Abraham and Jacob do not acknowledge us, but you, LORD, are our father, the one who has always rescued us.

But I know there is someone in heaven who will come at last to my defense.

May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O LORD, my refuge and my redeemer!

But the one who will rescue them is strong---his name is the LORD Almighty. He himself will take up their cause and will bring peace to the earth, but trouble to the people of Babylonia."

But by becoming a curse for us Christ has redeemed us from the curse that the Law brings; for the scripture says, "Anyone who is hanged on a tree is under God's curse."

He gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone and are eager to do good.

They sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals. For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race.