Isaiah 44

O Jacob, my servant, now listen and hear;
​O Israel, whom I have chosen, draw near.
Says Yahweh, by whom you were lovingly made,
and formed from the womb, who would give you my aid:
"O Jacob, my servant, do not be afraid;
O Israel, Jeshurun, choice that I made.
For I'll pour out water to quench the dry ground,
send streams through the parched lands wherever they're found.
I'll pour out my Spirit on your seed from birth,
and bless your descendants all over the earth.
They'll spring up and thrive like well-watered grass grows,
​like willows beside streams of water that flows.
Some men will say, 'I am the LORD's', as their claim,
while others will call themselves by Jacob's name;
another man still will with his own hand, write,
'The LORD's', and take on the name, Israelite."

Redeemer and King, of which Israel boasts,
the LORD of the Heavenly Armies and Hosts,
Jehovah says, "I am the first and the last;
there's no god beside me — none coming, none past.
Who's like me? Is there anyone to compare?
If so, then come forward and let him declare.
Let him make as I've made this nation of old,
and foretell what's coming and watch it unfold.
Don't tremble, fear not; have I not long ago
announced and declared it, and was it not so?
As witness — is there any God but me? None!
And there is no other Rock either — not one!"

Those making the idols are fools and inane,
the things that they treasure are worthless and vain.
Those worshipping idols are blind and can't see;
these mindless souls will be ashamed as can be.
Who fashions a god or would cast such a mold
that profits him nothing though graven in gold?
Behold, his companions shall be put to shame,
for craftsmen can't make gods, whatever they claim —
they're human, let them stand together and face
my terror, and let them all suffer disgrace.

The blacksmith, with tongs, works the coals till they glow,
then fashions an idol with hammering blows;
his muscled arm glistens with sweat from the fire,
he's hungry and thirsty, beginning to tire.
The carpenter stretches a line and he marks
with pencil, a pattern, and then he embarks
with compass and chisel to form his design:
​a beautiful human that's fit for a shrine.
He takes out his axe and he fells cedar trees,
or chooses a cypress or oak that he sees.
He plants pine and ash that the forest sustains,
and lets them grow strong with the nourishing rains.​
He uses some wood to make fire instead,
he makes himself warm, and he makes himself bread.
He fashions an idol with part of the trees,
and worships this new god, he's made, on his knees.
He burns half the tree in preparing to eat,
by starting a fire and then roasting his meat.
When he's had his fill, he reflects on the wood,
"I'm warm and I'm filled, and it's all very good."
The rest of the wood is the idol he's made,
"Protect me, for you are my god," he has prayed.

They're senseless, not knowing that they're even blind;
they understand not with their heart nor their mind.
The maker of idols can't say in his head,
"This wood was my fuel to bring warmth and make bread,
it roasted my meal, now the rest is a god?
Does worshipping this block of wood appear odd?"
This fool feeds on ashes and he's led astray,
for his own deluded heart leads him away;
he hasn't the courage to ask himself why,
"This thing in my right hand, is it not a lie?"

Remember these things, Jacob, let them not fade;
for you are my servant and you have I made.
O Israel, you are my servant, and yet
O Israel, you will I never forget.
Like clouds, your transgressions will be swept away,
your sins like the morning mist once it is day.
Return to me, you've been redeemed, chosen one.
O heavens, sing out for what Yahweh has done!
You depths of the earth, shout aloud, joyfully!
Sing out, all you mountains, O forest and tree.
The LORD's redeemed Jacob, yes, he's been restored,
​the glory of Israel comes from the LORD.

Thus says the LORD,
Redeemer, who, from the womb, formed you within:

"I, Yahweh, the LORD, have made all things begin,
the one who has stretched out the heavens, alone,
the one who has spread out the earth on my own,
made fools of diviners, the prophet that lies,
made foolish the knowledge of those who are wise,
confirming the word of his own servants' hands,
fulfilling the truth of his messengers' plans,
who says to Jerusalem, 'You will be filled
with people, and your cities will I rebuild,'
who says to the depths of the oceans, 'Be dry!
And dry up your streams and your rivers, will I,'
who says about Cyrus, My shepherd is he,
fulfilling my purpose is his destiny,'
who says of Jerusalem, 'She'll be remade;
her temple's foundation will also be laid.'"