Isaiah 45

1This is what Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

2I will go before you and level the heights; I will break down doors of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

3I will give you treasures hidden in darkness and riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am Yahweh, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

4For the sake of Jacob my servant, and Israel my chosen one, I have called you by your name; I give you a title of honor, though you do not know me.

5I am Yahweh, and there is no other; besides me there is no God. I will arm you for battle, though you do not know me,

6so that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me. I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

7I form light and create darkness; I make peace and create disaster; I am Yahweh, who does all these things.

8Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, let salvation bear fruit, and let righteousness sprout up with it. I, Yahweh, have created it.

9Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker, a clay pot among the clay pots of the earth! Does the clay say to the one who shapes it, “What are you making?” Or does your work say, “He has no hands”?

10Woe to the one who says to a father, “What are you fathering?” or to a woman, “What are you giving birth to?”

11This is what Yahweh says, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Would you question me about things to come concerning my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?

12I made the earth and created humankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.

13I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, not for a price or a bribe, says Yahweh of Armies.

14This is what Yahweh says: The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of great height, will come over to you and be yours. They will walk behind you; they will come over in chains. They will bow down to you and plead with you: “Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.”

15Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.

16They will be put to shame and disgraced, all of them; the makers of idols will go off together in disgrace.

17But Israel is saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation; you will not be put to shame or disgraced, forever and ever.

18For this is what Yahweh says, who created the heavens—he is God—who formed the earth and made it—he established it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

19I did not speak in secret, somewhere in a land of darkness; I did not say to Jacob’s offspring, “Seek me in vain.” I, Yahweh, speak what is right; I declare what is upright.

20Gather together and come; draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no knowledge, those who carry around their wooden idols and pray to a god that cannot save.

21Declare it, present your case; yes, let them take counsel together. Who announced this long ago? Who declared it from ancient times? Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

22Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other.

23By myself I have sworn; righteousness has gone out from my mouth, a word that will not turn back: to me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.

24They will say of me, “Only in Yahweh are righteousness and strength.” All who raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.

25In Yahweh all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will boast.