Isaiah 44

1But now listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen.

2This is what Yahweh says, who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

3For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.

4They will spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.

5One will say, “I belong to Yahweh”; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write on his hand, “Yahweh’s,” and take the name of Israel as his own.

6This is what Yahweh says, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Armies: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.

7Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare it and lay it out before me, from the time I established my ancient people. Let them declare what is coming and what is yet to come.

8Do not tremble and do not be afraid. Did I not announce it to you long ago and declare it? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.

9All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure do no good. Their witnesses neither see nor know, so they will be put to shame.

10Who would shape a god or cast an idol that can do no good?

11Look, all its companions will be put to shame; the craftsmen are only human. Let them all gather and take their stand; they will be terrified and put to shame together.

12The ironsmith takes a tool and works over the coals; he shapes it with hammers and forges it with his strong arm. He also grows hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and grows faint.

13The woodworker stretches out a measuring line and marks it out with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and marks it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, with human beauty, to live in a house.

14He cuts down cedars for himself, or takes a cypress or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain makes it grow.

15Then it becomes fuel for people to burn. He takes some of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. He also makes a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

16Half of it he burns in the fire; over that half he cooks meat and eats it; he roasts his roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Ah! I am warm; I can see the fire.”

17The rest of it he makes into a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god!”

18They do not know and do not understand, for their eyes are plastered shut so they cannot see, and their hearts so they cannot understand.

19He does not stop to think; he has no knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I even baked bread on its coals; I roast meat and eat it. Should I make the rest of it into something detestable? Should I bow down to a block of wood?”

20He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray. He cannot save himself or say, “Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”

21Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant. I formed you; you are my servant, Israel; you will not be forgotten by me.

22I have wiped out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

23Sing for joy, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it; shout aloud, you depths of the earth! Break into song, you mountains, you forest and every tree in it! For Yahweh has redeemed Jacob, and he shows his glory in Israel.

24This is what Yahweh says, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: I am Yahweh, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,

25who frustrates the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who turns the wise back and makes their knowledge foolish,

26who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, “It will be inhabited,” and of the towns of Judah, “They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,”

27who says to the deep, “Be dry; I will dry up your rivers,”

28who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd, and he will accomplish all my purpose,” saying of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,” and of the temple, “Let its foundation be laid.”