Isaiah 44:1-28 CSB

[1] "And now listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen. [2] This is the word of the LORD your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb: He will help you. Do not fear, Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. [3] For I will pour water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring. [4] They will sprout among the grass like poplars by flowing streams. [5] This one will say, 'I am the LORD's'; another will use the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and take on the name of Israel." [6] This is what the LORD, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the LORD of Armies, says: I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me. [7] Who, like me, can announce the future? Let him say so and make a case before me, since I have established an ancient people. Let these gods declare the coming things, and what will take place. [8] Do not be startled or afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God but me? There is no other Rock; I do not know any. [9] All who make idols are nothing, and what they treasure benefits no one. Their witnesses do not see or know anything, so they will be put to shame. [10] Who makes a god or casts a metal image that benefits no one? [11] Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame, and the craftsmen are humans. They all will assemble and stand; they all will be startled and put to shame. [12] The ironworker labors over the coals, shapes the idol with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. Also he grows hungry and his strength fails; he doesn't drink water and is faint. [13] The woodworker stretches out a measuring line, he outlines it with a stylus; he shapes it with chisels and outlines it with a compass. He makes it according to a human form, like a beautiful person, to dwell in a temple. [14] He cuts down cedars for his use, or he takes a cypress or an oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow. [15] A person can use it for fuel. He takes some of it and warms himself; also he kindles a fire and bakes bread; he even makes it into a god and worships it; he makes an idol from it and bows down to it. [16] He burns half of it in a fire, and he roasts meat on that half. He eats the roast and is satisfied. He warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm, I see the blaze." [17] He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it, "Save me, for you are my god." [18] Such people do not comprehend and cannot understand, for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot understand. [19] No one comes to his senses; no one has the perception or insight to say, "I burned half of it in the fire, I also baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate. Should I make something detestable with the rest of it? Should I bow down to a block of wood?" [20] He feeds on ashes. His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot rescue himself, or say, "Isn't there a lie in my right hand?" [21] Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you, you are my servant; Israel, you will never be forgotten by me. [22] I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you. [23] Rejoice, heavens, for the LORD has acted; shout, depths of the earth. Break out into singing, mountains, forest, and every tree in it. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorifies himself through Israel. [24] This is what the LORD, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb, says: I am the LORD, who made everything; who stretched out the heavens by myself; who alone spread out the earth; [25] who destroys the omens of the false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who confounds the wise and makes their knowledge foolishness; [26] who confirms the message of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers; who says to Jerusalem, "She will be inhabited," and to the cities of Judah, "They will be rebuilt," and I will restore her ruins; [27] who says to the depths of the sea, "Be dry," and I will dry up your rivers; [28] who says to Cyrus, "My shepherd, he will fulfill all my pleasure" and says to Jerusalem, "She will be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Its foundation will be laid."