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Isaiah 42-46
Contemporary English Version
Isaiah 42-46
Contemporary English Version
The Lord's Servant
42 (A)(B) Here is my servant!
I have made him strong.
He is my chosen one;
I am pleased with him.
I have given him my Spirit,
and he will bring justice
to the nations.
2 He won't shout or yell
or call out in the streets.
3 He won't break off a bent reed
or put out a dying flame,
but he will make sure
that justice is done.
4 He won't quit or give up
until he brings justice
everywhere on earth,
and people in foreign nations
long for his teaching.
5 (C) I am the Lord God.
I created the heavens
like an open tent above.
I made the earth and everything
that grows on it.
I am the source of life
for all who live on this earth,
so listen to what I say.
6 (D) I chose you to bring justice,
and I am here at your side.
I selected you and sent you[a]
to bring light
and my promise of hope
to the nations.
7 You will give sight
to the blind;
you will set prisoners free
from dark dungeons.
8 My name is the Lord!
I won't let idols or humans
share my glory and praise.
9 Everything has happened
just as I said it would;
now I will announce
what will happen next.
Sing Praises to the Lord
10 Tell the whole world to sing
a new song to the Lord!
Tell those who sail the ocean
and those who live far away
to join in the praise.
11 Tell the tribes of the desert
and everyone in the mountains[b]
to celebrate and sing.
12 Let them announce
his praises everywhere.
13 The Lord is marching out
like an angry soldier,
shouting with all his might
while attacking his enemies.
The Lord Will Help His People
14 For a long time, I, the Lord,
have held my temper;
now I will cry out and groan
like a woman giving birth.
15 I will destroy the mountains
and what grows on them;
I will dry up rivers and ponds.
16 I will lead the blind on roads
they have never known;
I will guide them on paths
they have never traveled.
Their road is dark and rough,
but I will give light
to keep them from stumbling.
This is my solemn promise.
17 Everyone who worships idols
as though they were gods
will be terribly ashamed.
God's People Won't Obey
18 You people are deaf and blind,
but the Lord commands you
to listen and to see.
19 No one is as blind or deaf
as his messenger,
his chosen servant,
20 who sees and hears so much,
but pays no attention.
21 The Lord always does right,
and so he wanted his Law
to be greatly praised.[c]
22 But his people were trapped
and imprisoned in holes
with no one to rescue them.
All they owned had been taken,
and no one was willing
to give it back.
23 Why won't his people
ever learn to listen?
24 Israel sinned and refused
to obey the Lord
or follow his instructions.
So the Lord let us be robbed
of everything we owned.
25 He was furious with us
and punished our nation
with the fires of war.
Still we paid no attention.
We didn't even care
when we were surrounded
and scorched by flames.
The Lord Has Rescued His People
43 Descendants of Jacob,
I, the Lord, created you
and formed your nation.
Israel, don't be afraid.
I have rescued you.
I have called you by name;
now you belong to me.
2 When you cross deep rivers,
I will be with you,
and you won't drown.
When you walk through fire,
you won't be burned
or scorched by the flames.
3 I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel,
the God who saves you.
I gave up Egypt, Ethiopia,[d]
and the region of Seba[e]
in exchange for you.
4 To me, you are very dear,
and I love you.
That's why I gave up nations
and people to rescue you.
5 Don't be afraid! I am with you.
From both east and west
I will bring you together.
6 I will say to the north
and to the south,
“Free my sons and daughters!
Let them return
from distant lands.
7 They are my people—
I created each of them
to bring honor to me.”
The Lord Alone Is God
The Lord said:
8 Bring my people together.
They have eyes and ears,
but they can't see or hear.
9 Tell everyone of every nation
to gather around.
None of them can honestly say,
“We told you so!”
If someone heard them say this,
then tell us about it now.
10 My people, you are my witnesses
and my chosen servant.
I want you to know me,
to trust me, and understand
that I alone am God.
I have always been God;
there can be no others.
11 I alone am the Lord;
only I can rescue you.
12 I promised to save you,
and I kept my promise.
You are my witnesses
that no other god did this.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
13 I am God now and forever.
No one can snatch you from me
or stand in my way.
The Lord Will Prepare the Way
14 I, the Lord, will rescue you!
I am Israel's holy God,
and this is my promise:
For your sake, I will send
an army against Babylon
to drag its people away,
crying as they go.[f]
15 I am the Lord, your holy God,
Israel's Creator and King.
16 I am the one who cut a path
through the mighty ocean.
17 I sent an army to chase you
with chariots and horses;
now they lie dead,
unable to move.
They are like an oil lamp
with the flame snuffed out.
Forget the Past
The Lord said:
18 Forget what happened long ago!
Don't think about the past.
19 I am creating something new.
There it is! Do you see it?
I have put roads in deserts,
streams[g] in thirsty lands.
20 Every wild animal honors me,
even jackals[h] and owls.
I provide water in deserts—
streams in thirsty lands
for my chosen people.
21 I made them my own nation,
so they would praise me.
22 I, the Lord, said to Israel:
You have become weary of me,
but not from worshiping me.
23 You have not honored me
by sacrificing sheep
or other animals.
And I have not burdened you
with demands for sacrifices
or sweet-smelling incense.
24 You have not brought
delicious spices for me
or given me the best part
of your sacrificed animals.
Instead, you burden me down
with your terrible sins.
25 But I wipe away your sins
because of who I am.
And so, I will forget
the wrongs you have done.
26 Meet me in court!
State your case and prove
that you are right.
27 Your earliest ancestor[i]
and all your leaders[j]
rebelled against me.
28 That's why I don't allow
your priests to serve me;
I let Israel be destroyed
and your people disgraced.
The Lord's Promise to Israel
44 People of Israel,
I have chosen you
as my servant.
2 I am your Creator.
You were in my care
even before you were born.
Israel, don't be terrified!
You are my chosen servant,
my very favorite.[k]
3 I will bless the thirsty land
by sending streams of water;
I will bless your descendants
by giving them my Spirit.
4 They will spring up like grass[l]
or like willow trees
near flowing streams.
5 They will worship me
and become my people.
They will write my name
on the back of their hands.[m]
6 (E) I am the Lord All-Powerful,
the first and the last,
the one and only God.
Israel, I have rescued you!
I am your King.
7 Can anyone compare with me?
If so, let them speak up
and tell me now.
Let them say what has happened
since I made my nation
long ago,
and let them tell
what is going to happen.[n]
8 Don't tremble with fear!
Didn't I tell you long ago?
Didn't you hear me?
I alone am God—
no one else is a mighty rock.[o]
Idols Can't Do a Thing
The Lord said:
9 Those people who make idols
are nothing themselves,
and the idols they treasure
are just as worthless.
Worshipers of idols are blind,
stupid, and foolish.
10 Why make an idol or an image
that can't do a thing?
11 Everyone who makes idols
and all who worship them
are mere humans,
who will end up
sadly disappointed.
Let them face me in court
and be terrified.
Idols and Firewood
12 A metalworker shapes an idol
by using a hammer[p]
and heat from the fire.
In his powerful hand
he holds a hammer,
as he pounds the metal
into the proper shape.
But he gets hungry and thirsty
and loses his strength.
13 Some woodcarver measures
a piece of wood,
then draws an outline.
The idol is carefully carved
with each detail exact.
At last it looks like a person
and is placed in a temple.
14 Either cedar, cypress, oak,
or any tree from the forest
may be chosen.
Or even a pine tree planted
by the woodcarver
and watered by the rain.
15 (F) Some of the wood is used
to make a fire for heating
or for cooking.
One piece is made into an idol,
then the woodcarver bows down
and worships it.
16 He enjoys the warm fire
and the meat that was roasted
over the burning coals.
17 Afterwards, he bows down
to worship the wooden idol.
“Protect me!” he says.
“You are my god.”
18 Those who worship idols are stupid and blind! 19 They don't have enough sense to say to themselves, “I made a fire with half of the wood and cooked my bread and meat on it. Then I made something worthless with the other half. Why worship a block of wood?”
20 How can anyone be stupid enough to trust something that can be burned to ashes?[q] No one can save themselves like that. Don't they realize that the idols they hold in their hands are not really gods?
The Lord Won't Forget His People
21 People of Israel,
you are my servant,
so remember all of this.
Israel, I created you,
and you are my servant.
I won't forget you.[r]
22 Turn back to me!
I have rescued you
and swept away your sins
as though they were clouds.
Sing Praises to the Lord
23 Tell the heavens and the earth
to start singing!
Tell the mountains
and every tree in the forest
to join in the song!
The Lord has rescued his people;
now they will worship him.
The Lord Created Everything
24 Israel, I am your Lord,
the source of your life,
and I have rescued you.
I created everything
from the sky above
to the earth below.
25 (G) I make liars of false prophets
and fools of fortunetellers.
I take human wisdom
and turn it into nonsense.
26 I will make the message
of my prophets come true.
They are saying, “Jerusalem
will be filled with people,
and the Lord will rebuild
the towns of Judah.”
27 I am the one who commands
the sea and its streams
to run dry.
28 (H) I am also the one who says,
“Cyrus will lead my people
and obey my orders.
Jerusalem and the temple
will be rebuilt.”
Cyrus Obeys the Lord's Commands
45 The Lord said to Cyrus, his chosen one:
I have taken hold
of your right hand
to help you capture nations
and remove kings from power.
City gates will open for you;
not one will stay closed.
2 As I lead you,
I will level mountains[s]
and break the iron bars
on bronze gates of cities.
3 I will give you treasures
hidden in dark
and secret places.
Then you will know that I,
the Lord God of Israel,
have called you by name.
4 Cyrus, you don't even know me!
But I have called you by name
and highly honored you[t]
because of Israel,
my chosen servant.
5 Only I am the Lord!
There are no other gods.
I have made you strong,
though you don't know me.
6 Now everyone from east to west
will learn that I am the Lord.
No other gods are real.
7 I create light and darkness,
happiness and sorrow.
I, the Lord, do all this.
8 Tell the heavens
to send down justice
like showers of rain.
Prepare the earth
for my saving power
to sprout and produce justice
that I, the Lord, create.[u]
The Lord's Mighty Power
The Lord said:
9 (I) Israel, you have no right
to argue with your Creator.
You are merely a clay pot
shaped by a potter.
The clay doesn't ask,
“Why did you make me this way?
Where are the handles?”
10 Children don't have the right
to demand of their parents,
“What have you done
to make us what we are?”
11 I am the Lord, the Creator,
the holy God of Israel.
Do you dare question me
about my own nation
or about what I have done?
12 I created the world
and covered it with people;
I stretched out the sky
and filled it with stars.
13 I have done the right thing
by placing Cyrus in power,
and I will make the roads easy
for him to follow.
I am the Lord All-Powerful!
Cyrus will rebuild my city
and set my people free
without being paid a thing.
I, the Lord, have spoken.
The Lord Alone Can Save
14 My people, I, the Lord, promise
that the riches of Egypt
and the treasures of Ethiopia[v]
will belong to you.
You will force into slavery
those tall people of Seba.[w]
They will bow down and say,
“The only true God is with you;
there are no other gods.”
15 People of Israel,
your God is a mystery,
though he alone can save.
16 Anyone who makes idols
will be confused
and terribly disgraced.
17 But Israel, I, the Lord,
will always keep you safe
and free from shame.
Everyone Is Invited
18 The Lord alone is God!
He created the heavens
and made a world
where people can live,
instead of creating
an empty desert.
The Lord alone is God;
there are no others.
19 The Lord did not speak
in a dark secret place
or command Jacob's descendants
to search for him in vain.
The Lord speaks the truth,
and this is what he says
20 to every survivor
from every nation:
“Gather around me!
Learn how senseless it is
to worship wooden idols
or pray to helpless gods.
21 “Why don't you get together
and meet me in court?
Didn't I tell you long ago
what would happen?
I am the only God!
There are no others.
I bring about justice,
and have the power to save.
22 “I invite the whole world
to turn to me and be saved.
I alone am God!
No others are real.
23 (J) I have made a solemn promise,
one that won't be broken:
Everyone will bow down
and worship me.
24 They will admit that I alone
can bring about justice.
Everyone who is angry with me
will be terribly ashamed
and will turn to me.
25 I, the Lord, will give
victory and great honor
to the people of Israel.”
Babylonia's Gods Are Helpless
The Lord said:
46 The gods Bel and Nebo[x]
are down on their knees,
as wooden images of them
are carried away
on weary animals.[y]
2 They are down on their knees
to rescue the heavy load,
but the images are still taken
to a foreign country.
3 You survivors in Israel,
listen to me, the Lord.
Since the day you were born,
I have carried you along.
4 I will still be the same
when you are old and gray,
and I will take care of you.
I created you. I will carry you
and always keep you safe.
5 Can anyone compare with me?
Is anyone my equal?
6 Some people hire a goldsmith
and give silver and gold
to be formed into an idol
for them to worship.
7 They carry the idol
on their shoulders,
then put it on a stand,
but it cannot move.
They call out to the idol
when they are in trouble,
but it doesn't answer,
and it cannot help.
8 Now keep this in mind,[z]
you sinful people.
And don't ever forget it.
The Lord Alone Is God
9 I alone am God!
There are no other gods;
no one is like me.
Think about what happened
many years ago.
10 From the very beginning,
I told what would happen
long before it took place.
I kept my word 11 and brought
someone from a distant land
to do what I wanted.
He attacked from the east,
like a hawk swooping down.
Now I will keep my promise
and do what I planned.
12 You people are stubborn
and far from being safe,
so listen to me.
13 I will soon come to save you.
I am not far away
and will waste no time;
I take pride in Israel
and will save Jerusalem.
Footnotes
- 42.6 I selected … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 42.11 desert … mountains: The Hebrew text includes the place names of Kedar in the desert and Sela in the mountains.
- 42.21 greatly praised: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 21.
- 43.3 Ethiopia: See the note at 11.11.
- 43.3 Seba: A region in southwest Arabia. Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba probably stood for all that was known of Africa in biblical times.
- 43.14 crying as they go: Or “in their glorious ships.”
- 43.19 streams: The Standard Hebrew Text; the Dead Sea Scrolls “paths.”
- 43.20 jackals: Desert animals related to wolves, but smaller.
- 43.27 earliest ancestor: Jacob, also known as Israel.
- 43.27 leaders: Probably prophets, but perhaps also priests and kings.
- 44.2 my very favorite: Or “Jeshurun.”
- 44.4 like grass: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 44.5 write … hands: To show that they belong to the Lord and to Israel.
- 44.7 Let them say … happen: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 44.8 mighty rock: See the note at 17.10.
- 44.12 by using a hammer: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 44.20 How … ashes: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 44.21 I won't forget you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 45.2 mountains: The Dead Sea Scrolls and one ancient translation; the Standard Hebrew Text “rising waves.”
- 45.4 But … you: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 45.8 Prepare … create: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 45.14 Ethiopia: See the note at 11.11.
- 45.14 Seba: See the note at 43.3.
- 46.1 Bel and Nebo: Bel was another name for Marduk, the chief god of the Babylonians. Nebo was the son of Marduk and also an important god.
- 46.1 as … animals: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
- 46.8 Now … mind: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Isaiah 42-46
New International Version
Isaiah 42-46
New International Version
The Servant of the Lord
42 “Here is my servant,(A) whom I uphold,
my chosen one(B) in whom I delight;(C)
I will put my Spirit(D) on him,
and he will bring justice(E) to the nations.(F)
2 He will not shout or cry out,(G)
or raise his voice in the streets.
3 A bruised reed(H) he will not break,(I)
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.(J)
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;(K)
4 he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice(L) on earth.
In his teaching(M) the islands(N) will put their hope.”(O)
5 This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens,(P) who stretches them out,
who spreads out the earth(Q) with all that springs from it,(R)
who gives breath(S) to its people,
and life to those who walk on it:
6 “I, the Lord, have called(T) you in righteousness;(U)
I will take hold of your hand.(V)
I will keep(W) you and will make you
to be a covenant(X) for the people
and a light(Y) for the Gentiles,(Z)
7 to open eyes that are blind,(AA)
to free(AB) captives from prison(AC)
and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.(AD)
8 “I am the Lord;(AE) that is my name!(AF)
I will not yield my glory to another(AG)
or my praise to idols.(AH)
9 See, the former things(AI) have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
I announce(AJ) them to you.”
Song of Praise to the Lord
10 Sing(AK) to the Lord a new song,(AL)
his praise(AM) from the ends of the earth,(AN)
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,(AO)
you islands,(AP) and all who live in them.
11 Let the wilderness(AQ) and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar(AR) lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela(AS) sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.(AT)
12 Let them give glory(AU) to the Lord
and proclaim his praise(AV) in the islands.(AW)
13 The Lord will march out like a champion,(AX)
like a warrior(AY) he will stir up his zeal;(AZ)
with a shout(BA) he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.(BB)
14 “For a long time I have kept silent,(BC)
I have been quiet and held myself back.(BD)
But now, like a woman in childbirth,
I cry out, I gasp and pant.(BE)
15 I will lay waste(BF) the mountains(BG) and hills
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn rivers into islands
and dry up(BH) the pools.
16 I will lead(BI) the blind(BJ) by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light(BK) before them
and make the rough places smooth.(BL)
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake(BM) them.
17 But those who trust in idols,
who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’(BN)
will be turned back in utter shame.(BO)
Israel Blind and Deaf
18 “Hear, you deaf;(BP)
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind(BQ) but my servant,(BR)
and deaf like the messenger(BS) I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant(BT) with me,
blind like the servant of the Lord?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”(BU)
21 It pleased the Lord
for the sake(BV) of his righteousness
to make his law(BW) great and glorious.
22 But this is a people plundered(BX) and looted,
all of them trapped in pits(BY)
or hidden away in prisons.(BZ)
They have become plunder,
with no one to rescue them;(CA)
they have been made loot,
with no one to say, “Send them back.”
23 Which of you will listen to this
or pay close attention(CB) in time to come?
24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot,
and Israel to the plunderers?(CC)
Was it not the Lord,(CD)
against whom we have sinned?
For they would not follow(CE) his ways;
they did not obey his law.(CF)
25 So he poured out on them his burning anger,(CG)
the violence of war.
It enveloped them in flames,(CH) yet they did not understand;(CI)
it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.(CJ)
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created(CK) you, Jacob,
he who formed(CL) you, Israel:(CM)
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed(CN) you;
I have summoned you by name;(CO) you are mine.(CP)
2 When you pass through the waters,(CQ)
I will be with you;(CR)
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,(CS)
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.(CT)
3 For I am the Lord your God,(CU)
the Holy One(CV) of Israel, your Savior;(CW)
I give Egypt(CX) for your ransom,
Cush[a](CY) and Seba(CZ) in your stead.(DA)
4 Since you are precious and honored(DB) in my sight,
and because I love(DC) you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid,(DD) for I am with you;(DE)
I will bring your children(DF) from the east
and gather(DG) you from the west.(DH)
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south,(DI) ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters(DJ) from the ends of the earth(DK)—
7 everyone who is called by my name,(DL)
whom I created(DM) for my glory,(DN)
whom I formed and made.(DO)”
8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,(DP)
who have ears but are deaf.(DQ)
9 All the nations gather together(DR)
and the peoples assemble.
Which of their gods foretold(DS) this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, “It is true.”
10 “You are my witnesses,(DT)” declares the Lord,
“and my servant(DU) whom I have chosen,
so that you may know(DV) and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god(DW) was formed,
nor will there be one after me.(DX)
11 I, even I, am the Lord,(DY)
and apart from me there is no savior.(DZ)
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god(EA) among you.
You are my witnesses,(EB)” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days(EC) I am he.(ED)
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”(EE)
God’s Mercy and Israel’s Unfaithfulness
14 This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer,(EF) the Holy One(EG) of Israel:
“For your sake I will send to Babylon
and bring down as fugitives(EH) all the Babylonians,[b](EI)
in the ships in which they took pride.
15 I am the Lord,(EJ) your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator,(EK) your King.(EL)”
16 This is what the Lord says—
he who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,(EM)
17 who drew out(EN) the chariots and horses,(EO)
the army and reinforcements together,(EP)
and they lay(EQ) there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:(ER)
18 “Forget the former things;(ES)
do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing!(ET)
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness(EU)
and streams in the wasteland.(EV)
20 The wild animals(EW) honor me,
the jackals(EX) and the owls,
because I provide water(EY) in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed(EZ) for myself(FA)
that they may proclaim my praise.(FB)
22 “Yet you have not called on me, Jacob,
you have not wearied(FC) yourselves for[c] me, Israel.(FD)
23 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings,(FE)
nor honored(FF) me with your sacrifices.(FG)
I have not burdened(FH) you with grain offerings
nor wearied you with demands(FI) for incense.(FJ)
24 You have not bought any fragrant calamus(FK) for me,
or lavished on me the fat(FL) of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied(FM) me with your offenses.(FN)
25 “I, even I, am he who blots out
your transgressions,(FO) for my own sake,(FP)
and remembers your sins(FQ) no more.(FR)
26 Review the past for me,
let us argue the matter together;(FS)
state the case(FT) for your innocence.
27 Your first father(FU) sinned;
those I sent to teach(FV) you rebelled(FW) against me.
28 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple;
I consigned Jacob to destruction[d](FX)
and Israel to scorn.(FY)
Israel the Chosen
44 “But now listen, Jacob, my servant,(FZ)
Israel, whom I have chosen.(GA)
2 This is what the Lord says—
he who made(GB) you, who formed you in the womb,(GC)
and who will help(GD) you:
Do not be afraid,(GE) Jacob, my servant,(GF)
Jeshurun,[e](GG) whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water(GH) on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;(GI)
I will pour out my Spirit(GJ) on your offspring,
and my blessing(GK) on your descendants.(GL)
4 They will spring up like grass(GM) in a meadow,
like poplar trees(GN) by flowing streams.(GO)
5 Some will say, ‘I belong(GP) to the Lord’;
others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand,(GQ) ‘The Lord’s,’(GR)
and will take the name Israel.
The Lord, Not Idols
6 “This is what the Lord says—
Israel’s King(GS) and Redeemer,(GT) the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;(GU)
apart from me there is no God.(GV)
7 Who then is like me?(GW) Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
and what is yet to come—
yes, let them foretell(GX) what will come.
8 Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim(GY) this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God(GZ) besides me?
No, there is no other Rock;(HA) I know not one.”
9 All who make idols(HB) are nothing,
and the things they treasure are worthless.(HC)
Those who would speak up for them are blind;(HD)
they are ignorant, to their own shame.(HE)
10 Who shapes a god and casts an idol,(HF)
which can profit nothing?(HG)
11 People who do that will be put to shame;(HH)
such craftsmen are only human beings.
Let them all come together and take their stand;
they will be brought down to terror and shame.(HI)
12 The blacksmith(HJ) takes a tool
and works with it in the coals;
he shapes an idol with hammers,
he forges it with the might of his arm.(HK)
He gets hungry and loses his strength;
he drinks no water and grows faint.(HL)
13 The carpenter(HM) measures with a line
and makes an outline with a marker;
he roughs it out with chisels
and marks it with compasses.
He shapes it in human form,(HN)
human form in all its glory,
that it may dwell in a shrine.(HO)
14 He cut down cedars,
or perhaps took a cypress or oak.
He let it grow among the trees of the forest,
or planted a pine,(HP) and the rain made it grow.
15 It is used as fuel(HQ) for burning;
some of it he takes and warms himself,
he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
But he also fashions a god and worships(HR) it;
he makes an idol and bows(HS) down to it.
16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire;
over it he prepares his meal,
he roasts his meat and eats his fill.
He also warms himself and says,
“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.(HT)”
17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol;
he bows down to it and worships.(HU)
He prays(HV) to it and says,
“Save(HW) me! You are my god!”
18 They know nothing, they understand(HX) nothing;
their eyes(HY) are plastered over so they cannot see,
and their minds closed so they cannot understand.
19 No one stops to think,
no one has the knowledge or understanding(HZ) to say,
“Half of it I used for fuel;(IA)
I even baked bread over its coals,
I roasted meat and I ate.
Shall I make a detestable(IB) thing from what is left?
Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”(IC)
20 Such a person feeds on ashes;(ID) a deluded(IE) heart misleads him;
he cannot save himself, or say,
“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?(IF)”
21 “Remember(IG) these things, Jacob,
for you, Israel, are my servant.(IH)
I have made you, you are my servant;(II)
Israel, I will not forget you.(IJ)
22 I have swept away(IK) your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return(IL) to me,
for I have redeemed(IM) you.”
23 Sing for joy,(IN) you heavens, for the Lord has done this;
shout aloud, you earth(IO) beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,(IP)
you forests and all your trees,(IQ)
for the Lord has redeemed(IR) Jacob,
he displays his glory(IS) in Israel.
Jerusalem to Be Inhabited
I am the Lord,
the Maker of all things,
who stretches out the heavens,(IW)
who spreads out the earth(IX) by myself,
25 who foils(IY) the signs of false prophets
and makes fools of diviners,(IZ)
who overthrows the learning of the wise(JA)
and turns it into nonsense,(JB)
26 who carries out the words(JC) of his servants
and fulfills(JD) the predictions of his messengers,
who says of Jerusalem,(JE) ‘It shall be inhabited,’
of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’
and of their ruins,(JF) ‘I will restore them,’(JG)
27 who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry,
and I will dry up(JH) your streams,’
28 who says of Cyrus,(JI) ‘He is my shepherd
and will accomplish all that I please;
he will say of Jerusalem,(JJ) “Let it be rebuilt,”
and of the temple,(JK) “Let its foundations(JL) be laid.”’
45 “This is what the Lord says to his anointed,(JM)
to Cyrus,(JN) whose right hand I take hold(JO) of
to subdue nations(JP) before him
and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
so that gates will not be shut:
2 I will go before you(JQ)
and will level(JR) the mountains[f];
I will break down gates(JS) of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.(JT)
3 I will give you hidden treasures,(JU)
riches stored in secret places,(JV)
so that you may know(JW) that I am the Lord,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.(JX)
4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,(JY)
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge(JZ) me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;(KA)
apart from me there is no God.(KB)
I will strengthen you,(KC)
though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting(KD)
people may know(KE) there is none besides me.(KF)
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form the light and create darkness,(KG)
I bring prosperity and create disaster;(KH)
I, the Lord, do all these things.
8 “You heavens above, rain(KI) down my righteousness;(KJ)
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation(KK) spring up,
let righteousness flourish with it;
I, the Lord, have created it.
9 “Woe to those who quarrel(KL) with their Maker,(KM)
those who are nothing but potsherds(KN)
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,(KO)
‘What are you making?’(KP)
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?(KQ)
10 Woe to the one who says to a father,
‘What have you begotten?’
or to a mother,
‘What have you brought to birth?’
11 “This is what the Lord says—
the Holy One(KR) of Israel, and its Maker:(KS)
Concerning things to come,
do you question me about my children,
or give me orders about the work of my hands?(KT)
12 It is I who made the earth(KU)
and created mankind on it.
My own hands stretched out the heavens;(KV)
I marshaled their starry hosts.(KW)
13 I will raise up Cyrus[g](KX) in my righteousness:
I will make all his ways straight.(KY)
He will rebuild my city(KZ)
and set my exiles free,
but not for a price or reward,(LA)
says the Lord Almighty.”
14 This is what the Lord says:
“The products(LB) of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush,[h]
and those tall Sabeans(LC)—
they will come over to you(LD)
and will be yours;
they will trudge behind you,(LE)
coming over to you in chains.(LF)
They will bow down before you
and plead(LG) with you, saying,
‘Surely God is with you,(LH) and there is no other;
there is no other god.(LI)’”
15 Truly you are a God who has been hiding(LJ) himself,
the God and Savior(LK) of Israel.
16 All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced;(LL)
they will go off into disgrace together.
17 But Israel will be saved(LM) by the Lord
with an everlasting salvation;(LN)
you will never be put to shame or disgraced,(LO)
to ages everlasting.
18 For this is what the Lord says—
he who created the heavens,
he is God;
he who fashioned and made the earth,(LP)
he founded it;
he did not create it to be empty,(LQ)
but formed it to be inhabited(LR)—
he says:
“I am the Lord,
and there is no other.(LS)
19 I have not spoken in secret,(LT)
from somewhere in a land of darkness;(LU)
I have not said to Jacob’s descendants,(LV)
‘Seek(LW) me in vain.’
I, the Lord, speak the truth;
I declare what is right.(LX)
20 “Gather together(LY) and come;
assemble, you fugitives from the nations.
Ignorant(LZ) are those who carry(MA) about idols of wood,
who pray to gods that cannot save.(MB)
21 Declare what is to be, present it—
let them take counsel together.
Who foretold(MC) this long ago,
who declared it from the distant past?(MD)
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no God apart from me,(ME)
a righteous God(MF) and a Savior;(MG)
there is none but me.
22 “Turn(MH) to me and be saved,(MI)
all you ends of the earth;(MJ)
for I am God, and there is no other.(MK)
23 By myself I have sworn,(ML)
my mouth has uttered in all integrity(MM)
a word that will not be revoked:(MN)
Before me every knee will bow;(MO)
by me every tongue will swear.(MP)
24 They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone
are deliverance(MQ) and strength.(MR)’”
All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.(MS)
25 But all the descendants(MT) of Israel
will find deliverance(MU) in the Lord
and will make their boast in him.(MV)
Gods of Babylon
46 Bel(MW) bows down, Nebo stoops low;
their idols(MX) are borne by beasts of burden.[i]
The images that are carried(MY) about are burdensome,
a burden for the weary.
2 They stoop and bow down together;
unable to rescue the burden,
they themselves go off into captivity.(MZ)
3 “Listen(NA) to me, you descendants of Jacob,
all the remnant(NB) of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,(NC)
and have carried(ND) since you were born.(NE)
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs(NF)
I am he,(NG) I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain(NH) you and I will rescue you.
5 “With whom will you compare me or count me equal?
To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?(NI)
6 Some pour out gold from their bags
and weigh out silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith(NJ) to make it into a god,
and they bow down and worship it.(NK)
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry(NL) it;
they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
From that spot it cannot move.(NM)
Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer;(NN)
it cannot save(NO) them from their troubles.
8 “Remember(NP) this, keep it in mind,
take it to heart, you rebels.(NQ)
9 Remember the former things,(NR) those of long ago;(NS)
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.(NT)
10 I make known the end from the beginning,(NU)
from ancient times,(NV) what is still to come.(NW)
I say, ‘My purpose will stand,(NX)
and I will do all that I please.’
11 From the east I summon(NY) a bird of prey;(NZ)
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
what I have planned,(OA) that I will do.(OB)
12 Listen(OC) to me, you stubborn-hearted,(OD)
you who are now far from my righteousness.(OE)
13 I am bringing my righteousness(OF) near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation(OG) will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,(OH)
my splendor(OI) to Israel.
Footnotes
- Isaiah 43:3 That is, the upper Nile region
- Isaiah 43:14 Or Chaldeans
- Isaiah 43:22 Or Jacob; / surely you have grown weary of
- Isaiah 43:28 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.
- Isaiah 44:2 Jeshurun means the upright one, that is, Israel.
- Isaiah 45:2 Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint; the meaning of the word in the Masoretic Text is uncertain.
- Isaiah 45:13 Hebrew him
- Isaiah 45:14 That is, the upper Nile region
- Isaiah 46:1 Or are but beasts and cattle
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