CHAPTER 44
This
is the word
of the LORD,
your Maker,
who formed you
from the womb
and will help you:
Do not
be afraid,
O Jacob
My servant,
Jeshurun,
whom I have chosen.
For
I will pour
water
on
the thirsty land,
and currents
on
the dry ground;
I will pour out
My Spirit
on
your descendants,
and My blessing
on
your offspring.
One
will say,
‘I belong
to the LORD,’
another
will call
himself by the name
of Jacob,
and still another
will write
on his hand,
‘The LORD’s,’
and will take
the name
of Israel.”
Thus
says
the LORD,
the King
and Redeemer
of Israel,
the LORD
of Hosts:
“I
am the first
and I am
the last,
and there is no
God
but Me.
Who then is
like Me?
Let him say so!
Let him declare
his case
before Me,
since I established
an ancient
people.
Let him foretell
the things to come,
and what
is to take place.
Do not
tremble
or
fear.
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 know
not one.”
All
makers
of idols
are nothing,
and the things they treasure
are worthless.
Their witnesses
fail to
see
or know anything,
so
they are put to shame.
Behold,
all
his companions
will be put to shame,
for the craftsmen
themselves
are only human.
Let them all
assemble
and take their stand;
they will all
be brought to terror
and shame.
The blacksmith
takes a tool
and labors
over the coals;
he fashions an idol
with hammers
and forges it
with his strong
arms.
Yet
he grows hungry
and his strength
fails;
he fails
to drink
water
and grows faint.
The woodworker
extends
a measuring line;
he marks it out
with a stylus;
he shapes
it with chisels
and outlines
it with a compass.
He fashions it
in the likeness
of man,
like man
in all his glory,
that it may dwell
in a shrine.
He cuts down
cedars
or retrieves
a cypress
or oak.
He lets it grow strong
among the trees
of the forest.
He plants
a laurel,
and the rain
makes it grow.
It serves
as fuel
for man.
He takes
some of it
to warm himself,
and
he kindles a fire
and bakes
his bread;
he even
fashions it
into a god
and worships it;
he makes
an idol
and bows down
to it.
He burns
half
of it in
the fire,
and he roasts
meat
on
that half.
He eats
the roast
and is satisfied.
Indeed,
he warms
himself and says,
“Ah!
I am warm;
I see
the fire.”
From the rest
he makes
a god,
his graven image.
He bows down to it
and worships;
he prays
to it
and says,
“Save me,
for
you
are my god.”
They cannot
comprehend
or
understand,
for
He has shut
their eyes
so they cannot see,
and closed their minds
so they cannot understand.
And no one
considers
in
his heart,
no
one has the knowledge
or insight
to say,
“I burned
half
of it in
the fire,
and I
baked
bread
on
its coals,
I roasted
meat
and I ate.
Shall I make
something detestable
with the rest of it?
Shall I bow down
to a block
of wood?"
He feeds on
ashes.
His deluded
heart
has led him astray,
and he cannot
deliver
himself
or
say,
“Is not
this thing in my right hand
a lie?”
Remember
these things,
O Jacob,
for
you
are My servant,
O Israel.
I have made you;
you
are My servant;
O Israel,
I will never
forget you.
I have blotted out
your transgressions
like a cloud,
and your sins
like a mist.
Return
to Me,
for
I have redeemed you.
Sing for joy,
O heavens,
for
the LORD
has done this;
shout aloud,
O depths
of the earth.
Break out
into singing,
O mountains,
you forests
and all your
trees.
For
the LORD
has redeemed
Jacob,
and revealed His glory
in Israel.
Thus
says
the LORD,
your Redeemer
who formed you
from the womb:
“I
am the LORD,
who has made
all things,
who alone stretched out
the heavens,
who by Myself
spread out
the earth,
who foils
the signs
of false prophets
and makes fools of
diviners,
who confounds
the wise
and turns their knowledge
into nonsense,
who confirms
the message
of His servant
and fulfills
the counsel
of His messengers,
who says
of Jerusalem,
‘She will be inhabited,’
and of the cities
of Judah,
‘They will be rebuilt,
and I will restore
their ruins,’
who says
of Cyrus,
‘My shepherd
will fulfill
all
that I desire,’
who says
of Jerusalem,
‘She will be rebuilt,’
and of the temple,
‘Let its foundation be laid.’”