Isaiah 44
1Now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen: 1
2This is what Yahweh says, he who made you and formed you in the womb 1 and who will help you: “Do not fear, Jacob my servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. 1
3For I will pour water on the thirsty ground, and flowing streams on the dry ground; 1 I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your children. 1
4They will spring up among the grass, like willows by the streams of water. 1
5One will say, 'I belong to Yahweh,' and another will call out the name of Jacob, 1 and another will write on his hand 'Belonging to Yahweh,' and name himself by the name of Israel.” 1
6This is what Yahweh says—the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts: 1 “I am the first, and I am the last; and there is no God but me. 1
7Who is like me? Let him announce it and explain to me 1 the events that occurred since I established my ancient people, and let them declare the events to come. 1
8Do not fear or be afraid. Have I not declared to you long ago, and announced it? 1 You are my witnesses: Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.” 1
9All who fashion idols are nothing; the things they delight in are worthless; 1 their witnesses cannot see or know anything, and they will be put to shame. 1
10Who would form a god or cast an idol that is worthless? 1
11Look, all his associates will be put to shame; the craftsmen are only men. 1 Let them take their stand together; they will cower and be put to shame. 1
12The smith works with his tools, forming it, working over the coals. 1 He shapes it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. 1 He is hungry, and his strength wanes; he drinks no water and becomes faint. 1
13The carpenter measures the wood with a line, and marks it with a stylus. 1 He shapes it with his tools and marks it out with a compass. 1 He shapes it after the figure of a man, like an attractive human, so it may stay in a house. 1
14He cuts down cedars, or chooses a cypress tree or an oak tree. 1 He picks for himself trees in the forest. He plants a fir tree and the rain makes it grow. 1
15Then a man uses it for a fire and warms himself. Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. 1 Then he makes from it a god and bows down to it; he makes an idol and bows down to it. 1
16He burns part of the wood for the fire, roasting his meat over it. He eats and is satisfied. 1 He warms himself and says, “Ah, I am warm, I have seen the fire.” 1
17With the rest of the wood he makes a god, his carved image; he bows down to it and reverences it, 1 and prays to it saying, “Rescue me, for you are my god.” 1
18They do not know, nor do they understand, for their eyes are blind and cannot see, and their hearts cannot perceive. 1
19No one thinks, nor do they comprehend and say, 1 “I have burned part of the wood in the fire; yes, I have also baked bread upon its coals. I have roasted meat over its coals and eaten. 1 Now should I make the other part of the wood into something disgusting to worship? Should I bow down to a block of wood?” 1
20It is as if he were eating ashes; his deceived heart misleads him. He cannot rescue himself, nor does he say, “This thing in my right hand is a false god.” 1
21Think about these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant: 1 I have formed you; you are my servant: Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. 1
22I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your rebellious deeds, and like a cloud, your sins; 1 return to me, for I have redeemed you. 1
23Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done this; shout, you depths of the earth. 1 Break out into singing, you mountains, you forest with every tree in it; 1 for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob, and will show his glory in Israel. 1
24This is what Yahweh says, your Redeemer, he who formed you from the womb: 1 “I am Yahweh, who made everything, 1 who alone stretched out the heavens, who alone fashioned the earth. 1
25I who frustrate the omens of the empty talkers and who disgrace those who read omens; 1 I who overturn the wisdom of the wise and make their advice foolish. 1
26I, Yahweh, who confirmed the words of his servant and brings to pass the predictions of his messengers, 1 who says of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited,' and of the towns of Judah, 'They will be built again, and I will raise up their ruins'; 1
27who says to the deep sea, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your currents.' 1
28Yahweh is the one who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, he will do my every wish; he will decree about Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and about the temple, 'Let its foundations be laid.'”