JesajaKapitel 44

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But now listen, Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen.
This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb and will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty ground and streams on the dry land; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplars by flowing streams.
One will say, "I belong to the LORD," another will take the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, "The LORD's," and take the name of Israel as his own.
This is what the LORD says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
Who is like me? Let him proclaim it, let him declare and lay it out before me—who has announced from of old what was to come, since I established an ancient people. Let them tell what is yet to be.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not announce it and declare it to you long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? There is no other Rock; I know of none.
All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses see nothing and know nothing, so they will be put to shame.
Who shapes a god and casts an idol that can do him no good?
Look, all its devotees will be disgraced; its craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will be terrified and put to shame together.
The blacksmith takes his tool and works over the coals; he shapes the idol with hammers and forges it with the strength of his arm. He grows hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and faints.
The carpenter stretches out his measuring line and marks the shape with a stylus; he works it with chisels and traces it with a compass. He carves it in human form, in the glorious likeness of a man, to sit in a shrine.
He cuts down cedars, or takes a cypress or an oak; he lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. Or he plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
Then it becomes fuel for a man: he takes some of it and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also makes a god of it and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.
Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He warms himself and says, "Ah, I am warm; I can see the fire."
From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me, for you are my god."
They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds are closed so they cannot comprehend.
No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or the understanding to say, "Half of it I burned in the fire; over its coals I baked bread, I roasted meat and ate. Shall I make the rest into a detestable thing? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"
He feeds on ashes; his deluded heart has led him astray. He cannot save himself, nor say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"
Remember these things, Jacob, for you are my servant, Israel. I formed you; you are my servant. Israel, I will not forget you.
I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
Sing, you heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout aloud, you depths of the earth! Break into song, you mountains, you forest and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob; he displays his glory in Israel.
This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretched out the heavens alone, who spread out the earth with none beside me;
who overturns the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners; who turns the wise back and reduces their knowledge to nonsense;
who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, "It shall be inhabited," and of the towns of Judah, "They shall be rebuilt," and of her ruins, "I will raise them up";
who says to the deep, "Be dry! I will dry up your streams";
who says of Cyrus, "He is my shepherd, and he will accomplish all that I please"; who says of Jerusalem, "It shall be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Its foundation shall be laid."