But now listen , O Jacob My servant , Israel , whom I have chosen
This is the word of the LORD , your Maker , who formed you from the womb (and) who 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.
They will sprout among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
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 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 vvv are worthless. Their witnesses ... fail to see ... or comprehend , so they are put to shame.
Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing ?
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 loses his strength ... ; he fails to drink water and grows faint.
The woodworker ... extends a measuring line ; he Mark -s 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 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
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 do not comprehend (or) discern , 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 , (and) 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 forth in song , 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 to the depths of the sea , ‘ Be dry , and I will dry up your currents , ’
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. ’”