1But now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2This is what Yahweh, who made you and formed you from birth, who will help you, says: “Don’t be afraid, Jacob my servant; and Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3For I will pour water on the thirsty and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring.
4They will sprout up among the grass, like willows by flowing water.
5One will say, ‘I belong to Yahweh;’ another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write on his hand, ‘For Yahweh,’ and honor the name of Israel.”
6This is what Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Rescuer, Yahweh of Armies, says: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.
7Who is like me? Who can announce this, declare it, and arrange it for me, since I established the ancient people? Let them declare what is coming and what will happen.
8Don’t be afraid or scared. Haven’t I told you long ago and shown you? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there isn't. I know no other Protector.
9Everyone who makes an idol is foolish. The things they value will not help them. Their own witnesses don’t see or know, and so they will be disappointed.
10Who has made a god or cast an image that is good for nothing?
11Look, all his companions will be disappointed; and the craftsmen are merely human. Let them all gather together. Let them stand up. They will be afraid. They will all be put to shame together.
12The blacksmith takes an axe, works with coals, shapes it with hammers, and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and grows faint.
13The carpenter stretches out a line. He marks it with a pencil. He shapes it with planes. He marks it with compasses, and shapes it like a man’s figure, with a man’s beauty, to live in a house.
14He cuts down cedars for himself, and he takes cypress and oak, choosing one from the forest trees. He plants a cypress tree, and the rain nourishes it.
15Then it will be for humans to burn; 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 idol and bows down to it.
16He 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.”
17The rest of it he makes into a god, his idol. He bows down to it and worships, and prays to it, saying, “Save me; for you are my god!”
18They don’t know or understand, because he has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds so they cannot comprehend.
19No one thinks, and they lack the knowledge and understanding to say, "I burned part of it in the fire. Yes, I also baked bread over its coals. I roasted meat and ate it. Should I turn the rest of it into something disgusting? Should I bow down to a tree trunk?"
20He is consuming ashes. A deceived mind has led him astray; he cannot save himself or ask, "Isn't there a lie in my right hand?"
21Remember these things, Jacob and Israel; for you are my servant. I formed you; you are my servant. Israel, I will not forget you.
22I have completely erased your wrongdoings like a thick cloud, and your sins like a cloud. Come back to me, because I have rescued you.
23Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lowest parts of the earth! Burst into song, you mountains, all you trees of the forest, for Yahweh has rescued Jacob and will show his glory in Israel.
24Yahweh, your Rescuer, who formed you from birth, says: "I am Yahweh, who makes all things; who alone stretches out the heavens; who spreads out the earth by myself;
25who frustrates the predictions of liars and makes fortune-tellers look foolish; who makes wise men go backward and turns their knowledge into nonsense;
26who confirms the words of his servant and carries out the plans 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 ruined places';
27who tells the deep waters, 'Be dry,' and 'I will dry up your rivers';
28who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he will carry out all my wishes,' even saying of Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and of the Temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"