Isaiah — Chapter 45

Thus said GOD to Cyrus, the anointed one—HavingaHaving Heb. “I have.” grasped his right hand,bgrasped his…hand Cf. note at 8.11. Treading down nations before him,Ungirding the loins of kings,cUngirding the loins of kings I.e., I made them helpless; one who wished to move freely belted his garment around the waist; cf. “engird,” v. 5. Opening doors before himAnd letting no gate stay shut:

I will march before youAnd level the hills that loom up;dthe hills that loom up Meaning of Heb. uncertain. I will shatter doors of bronzeAnd cut down iron bars.

I will give you treasures concealed in the darkAnd secret hoards—So that you may know that it is I the ETERNAL One,The God of Israel, who call you by name.

For the sake of My servant Jacob,Israel My chosen one,I call you by name,I hail you by title, though you have not known Me.

I am GOD and there is none else;Beside Me, there is no god.I engird you, though you have not known Me,

So that they may know, from east to west,That there is none but Me.I am GOD and there is none else,

I form light and create darkness,I make weal and create woe—I GOD do all these things.

Pour down, O skies, from above!Let the heavens rain down victory!Let the earth open up and triumph sprout,Yes, let vindication spring up:I GOD have created it.

Shame on anyone who argues with their Maker,Though naught but a potsherd of earth!Shall the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?Your work has no handles”?eYour work has no handles Emendation yields “To its maker, ‘You have no hands’?”

Shame on anyone who asks a father, “What are you begetting?”Or a woman, “What are you bearing?”

Thus said GOD,Israel’s Holy One and Maker:Will you question MefWill you question Me Heb. imperative. on the destiny of My children,Will you instruct Me about the work of My hands?

It was I who made the earthAnd created humankind upon it;My own hands stretched out the heavens,And I marshaled all their host.

It was I who roused himghim I.e., Cyrus. for victoryAnd who level all roads for him.He shall rebuild My cityAnd let My exiled people goWithout price and without payment—said GOD of Hosts.

Thus said GOD:Egypt’s wealth and Cush’s gainsAnd Sabaites, long of limb,hlong of limb Emendation yields “bearing tribute.” For “tribute” cf. Ezra 4.20; 6.8; Neh. 5.4. Shall pass over to you and be yours,Pass over and follow you in fetters,Bow low to youAnd reverently address you:“Only among you is God,There is no other god at all!

You are indeed a God who hides in concealment,O God of Israel, who brings victory!

Those who fabricate idols—All are shamed and disgraced;They slink away in disgrace together.

But Israel has won through GOD Triumph everlasting.You shall not be shamed or disgracedIn all the ages to come!”

For thus said GOD,The Creator of heaven who alone is God,Who formed the earth and made it,Who alone established it—Who did not create it a waste,But formed it for habitation:I am GOD, and there is none else.

I did not speak in secret,At a site in a land of darkness;I did not say to the stock of Jacob,“Seek Me out in a wasteland”—I GOD, who foretell reliably,Who announce what is true.

Come, gather together,Draw nigh, you remnants of the nations!No foreknowledge had they who carry their wooden imagesAnd pray to a god who cannot give success.

Speak up, compare testimony—Let them even take counsel together!Who announced this aforetime,Foretold it of old?Was it not I the ETERNAL One?Then there is no god beside Me,No God exists beside MeWho foretells truly and grants success.

Turn to Me and gain success,All the ends of earth!For I am God, and there is none else.

By Myself have I sworn,From My mouth has issued truth,A word that shall not turn back:To Me every knee shall bend,Every tongue swear loyalty.

They shall say: “Only through GOD Can I find victory and might.iThey shall say: “Only through GOD / Can I find victory and might…” Emendation yields “Only in GOD / Are there victory and might for mortals.” When people trust injtrust in Lit. “come to”; for this idiom cf. Ps. 65.3; Job 6.20. [God],All their adversaries are put to shame.

It is through GOD that all the offspring of IsraelHave vindication and glory.”