Isaiah 44
1 But now listen, Jacob, my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2 This is what the LORD says, who made you and formed you from the womb, and who helps you: “Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on thirsty land and streams on dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your children.
4 They will spring up among the grass like willows beside streams of water.
5 One will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; another will take the name of Jacob; another will write ‘The LORD’s’ on his hand and take the name of Israel.”
6 This is what the LORD says, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Armies: “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
7 Who is like me? Let him call out, announce it, and lay it before me. Who has proclaimed the ancient people since I established them? Let them announce to them what is coming and what will happen.
8 Do not be terrified or afraid. Have I not told you and announced it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.”
9 All who make idols are nothing, and their treasured things are worthless. Their witnesses neither see nor know, so they will be put to shame.
10 Who has fashioned a god or cast an idol that is worthless?
11 Look, all who associate with him will be put to shame; the craftsmen are only human. Let them all gather and stand together; they will be terrified and put to shame.
12 The blacksmith sharpens a tool, works over the coals, and shapes the idol with hammers; he works on it with his strong arm. He grows hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and becomes tired.
13 The carpenter stretches a measuring line, marks the design with chalk, shapes it with planes, and traces it with a compass. He makes it in the form of a man, with human beauty, to dwell in a house.
14 He cuts down cedars for himself, or takes a cypress or an oak, and lets it grow strong among the forest trees. He plants a pine, and the rain makes it grow.
15 It serves as fuel for people: they take some of it to warm themselves. They light a fire and bake bread. They also make a god and bow down; they make an idol and kneel before it.
16 Half of it he burns in the fire; over that half he eats meat, roasts a meal, and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Ah, that feels good! I’m warm; I can see the fire.”
17 From what remains he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it, worships it, prays to it, and says, “Rescue me, for you are my god.”
18 They neither know nor understand, because their eyes are shut so they cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand.
19 None of them reflects; there is no knowledge or understanding to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire, and I baked bread over its coals; I roasted meat and ate it. And with what remains, am I going to make something detestable? Am I going to bow down to a block of wood?”
20 He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray. He cannot save his own life or say, “Isn’t what I hold in my right hand a lie?”
21 Remember these things, Jacob, and you, Israel, for you are my servant. I formed you; you are my servant. Israel, I will not forget you.
22 I have wiped away your transgressions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, heavens, for the LORD has acted! Shout, depths of the earth! Mountains, burst into song, along with the forest and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and glorifies himself in Israel.
24 This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who made all things. I alone stretch out the heavens and spread out the earth by myself.
25 I frustrate the signs of the false prophets and drive diviners mad; I turn the wise back and make their knowledge foolishness.
26 I confirm the word of my servant and fulfill the plans of my messengers. I say to Jerusalem, ‘You will be inhabited,’ and to the cities of Judah, ‘You will be rebuilt’; I will raise up their ruins.
27 I say to the deep, ‘Dry up!’ and I will dry up your rivers.
28 I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd!’ He will carry out all that I desire. I say to Jerusalem, ‘You will be rebuilt,’ and to the temple, ‘Your foundations will be laid.’”
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