Isaiah 44

1 Yet listen now, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.NHEB — Isaiah 44:1

2 This is what the LORD who made you, and formed you from the womb, who will help you says: "Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.NHEB — Isaiah 44:2

3 For I will pour water upon the thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants:NHEB — Isaiah 44:3

4 and they will spring up among the grass, as willows by the watercourses.NHEB — Isaiah 44:4

5 One will say, 'I am the LORD's;' and another will be called by the name of Jacob; and another will write with his hand 'to the LORD,' and honor the name of Israel."NHEB — Isaiah 44:5

6 This is what the LORD, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts, says: "I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God.NHEB — Isaiah 44:6

7 Who is like me? Who will call, and will declare it, and set it in order for me, since I established the ancient people? Let them declare the things that are coming, and that will happen.NHEB — Isaiah 44:7

8 Do not fear, neither be afraid. Haven't I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I do not know any other Rock."NHEB — Isaiah 44:8

9 Everyone who makes an engraved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses do not see, nor know, that they may be disappointed.NHEB — Isaiah 44:9

10 Who has fashioned a god, or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?NHEB — Isaiah 44:10

11 Look, all his fellows will be disappointed; and the workmen are mere men. Let them all be gathered together. Let them stand up. They will fear. They will be put to shame together.NHEB — Isaiah 44:11

12 The blacksmith takes an axe, works in the coals, fashions it with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. He is hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water, and is faint.NHEB — Isaiah 44:12

13 The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it out with compasses, and shapes it like the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to reside in a house.NHEB — Isaiah 44:13

14 He cuts down cedars for himself, and takes the cypress and the oak, and strengthens for himself one among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir tree, and the rain nourishes it.NHEB — Isaiah 44:14

15 Then it will be for a man to burn; and he takes some of it, and warms himself. Yes, he burns it, and bakes bread. Yes, he makes a god, and worships it; he makes it an engraved image, and falls down to it.NHEB — Isaiah 44:15

16 He burns part of it in the fire. With part of it, he eats meat. He roasts a roast, and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself, and says, "Aha. I am warm. I have seen the fire."NHEB — Isaiah 44:16

17 The rest of it he makes into a god, even his engraved image. He bows down to it and worships, and prays to it, and says, "Deliver me; for you are my god."NHEB — Isaiah 44:17

18 They do not know, neither do they consider: for he has shut their eyes, that they can't see; and their hearts, that they can't understand.NHEB — Isaiah 44:18

19 No one thinks, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, "I have burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals. I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it into an abomination? Shall I bow down to a tree trunk?"NHEB — Isaiah 44:19

20 He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside; and he can't deliver his soul, nor say, "Isn't there a lie in my right hand?"NHEB — Isaiah 44:20

21 Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant. I have formed you. You are my servant. Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.NHEB — Isaiah 44:21

22 I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.NHEB — Isaiah 44:22

23 Sing, you heavens, for the LORD has done it. Shout, you lower parts of the earth. Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and will glorify himself in Israel.NHEB — Isaiah 44:23

24 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and he who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself;NHEB — Isaiah 44:24

25 who foils the omens of the empty talkers, and makes fools of diviners; who turns sages back, and makes their knowledge foolish;NHEB — Isaiah 44:25

26 who confirms the word of his servant, and performs the counsel of his messengers; who says of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited;' and of the cities of Judah, 'They will be built,' and 'I will raise up its waste places;'NHEB — Isaiah 44:26

27 who says to the deep, 'Be dry,' and 'I will dry up your rivers;'NHEB — Isaiah 44:27

28 Who says of Koresh, 'He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,' even saying of Jerusalem, 'She will be built;' and of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"NHEB — Isaiah 44:28