VerseAI

NIV

Isaiah 44

  1. 1<pb/><t>“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,</t> <t>Israel, whom I have chosen.</t>
  2. 2<t>This is what the LORD says—</t> <t>he who made you, who formed you in the womb,</t> <t>and who will help you:</t> <t>Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,</t> <t>Jeshurun,<f>[86]</f> whom I have chosen.</t>
  3. 3<t>For I will pour water on the thirsty land,</t> <t>and streams on the dry ground;</t> <t>I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,</t> <t>and my blessing on your descendants.</t>
  4. 4<t>They will spring up like grass in a meadow,</t> <t>like poplar trees by flowing streams.</t>
  5. 5<t>Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;</t> <t>others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;</t> <t>still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’</t> <t>and will take the name Israel.</t>
  6. 6<t>“This is what the LORD says—</t> <t>Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:</t> <t>I am the first and I am the last;</t> <t>apart from me there is no God.</t>
  7. 7<t>Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.</t> <t>Let him declare and lay out before me</t> <t>what has happened since I established my ancient people,</t> <t>and what is yet to come—</t> <t>yes, let them foretell what will come.</t>
  8. 8<t>Do not tremble, do not be afraid.</t> <t>Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?</t> <t>You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?</t> <t>No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” <pb/></t>
  9. 9<t>All who make idols are nothing,</t> <t>and the things they treasure are worthless.</t> <t>Those who would speak up for them are blind;</t> <t>they are ignorant, to their own shame.</t>
  10. 10<t>Who shapes a god and casts an idol,</t> <t>which can profit nothing?</t>
  11. 11<t>People who do that will be put to shame;</t> <t>such craftsmen are only human beings.</t> <t>Let them all come together and take their stand;</t> <t>they will be brought down to terror and shame. <pb/></t>
  12. 12<t>The blacksmith takes a tool</t> <t>and works with it in the coals;</t> <t>he shapes an idol with hammers,</t> <t>he forges it with the might of his arm.</t> <t>He gets hungry and loses his strength;</t> <t>he drinks no water and grows faint.</t>
  13. 13<t>The carpenter measures with a line</t> <t>and makes an outline with a marker;</t> <t>he roughs it out with chisels</t> <t>and marks it with compasses.</t> <t>He shapes it in human form,</t> <t>human form in all its glory,</t> <t>that it may dwell in a shrine.</t>
  14. 14<t>He cut down cedars,</t> <t>or perhaps took a cypress or oak.</t> <t>He let it grow among the trees of the forest,</t> <t>or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.</t>
  15. 15<t>It is used as fuel for burning;</t> <t>some of it he takes and warms himself,</t> <t>he kindles a fire and bakes bread.</t> <t>But he also fashions a god and worships it;</t> <t>he makes an idol and bows down to it.</t>
  16. 16<t>Half of the wood he burns in the fire;</t> <t>over it he prepares his meal,</t> <t>he roasts his meat and eats his fill.</t> <t>He also warms himself and says,</t> <t>“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.”</t>
  17. 17<t>From the rest he makes a god, his idol;</t> <t>he bows down to it and worships.</t> <t>He prays to it and says,</t> <t>“Save me! You are my god!”</t>
  18. 18<t>They know nothing, they understand nothing;</t> <t>their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,</t> <t>and their minds closed so they cannot understand.</t>
  19. 19<t>No one stops to think,</t> <t>no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,</t> <t>“Half of it I used for fuel;</t> <t>I even baked bread over its coals,</t> <t>I roasted meat and I ate.</t> <t>Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?</t> <t>Shall I bow down to a block of wood?”</t>
  20. 20<t>Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;</t> <t>he cannot save himself, or say,</t> <t>“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?” <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>“Remember these things, Jacob,</t> <t>for you, Israel, are my servant.</t> <t>I have made you, you are my servant;</t> <t>Israel, I will not forget you.</t>
  22. 22<t>I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,</t> <t>your sins like the morning mist.</t> <t>Return to me,</t> <t>for I have redeemed you.” <pb/></t>
  23. 23<t>Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;</t> <t>shout aloud, you earth beneath.</t> <t>Burst into song, you mountains,</t> <t>you forests and all your trees,</t> <t>for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,</t> <t>he displays his glory in Israel.</t>
  24. 24<t>“This is what the LORD says—</t> <t>your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: <pb/>I am the LORD,</t> <t>the Maker of all things,</t> <t>who stretches out the heavens,</t> <t>who spreads out the earth by myself,</t>
  25. 25<t>who foils the signs of false prophets</t> <t>and makes fools of diviners,</t> <t>who overthrows the learning of the wise</t> <t>and turns it into nonsense,</t>
  26. 26<t>who carries out the words of his servants</t> <t>and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, <pb/>who says of Jerusalem, ‘It shall be inhabited,’</t> <t>of the towns of Judah, ‘They shall be rebuilt,’</t> <t>and of their ruins, ‘I will restore them,’</t>
  27. 27<t>who says to the watery deep, ‘Be dry,</t> <t>and I will dry up your streams,’</t>
  28. 28<t>who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd</t> <t>and will accomplish all that I please;</t> <t>he will say of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”</t> <t>and of the temple, “Let its foundations be laid.” ’</t>