Cyrus, God's Instrument

1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

1 Thus says the Lord to (A)Cyrus His anointed,Whom I have taken by the right (B)hand,To (C)subdue nations before himAnd (a)to (D)loose the loins of kings;To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

1 The Lord says this to Cyrus, His anointed,(A)whose right hand I have grasped(B)to subdue nations before him,to disarm(a) kings,(C)to open the doors before himand the gates will not be shut:

1 This is what the LORD says to his anointed, Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, as I strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him and gates that cannot keep closed:

1 This is what the Lord says to His anointed, to Cyrus [king of Persia],Whose right hand I have heldTo subdue nations before him,And I will ungird the loins of kings [disarming them];To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

2 “I will go before you and (E)make the (b)rough places smooth;I will (F)shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron (G)bars.

2 “I will go before youand level the uneven places;(b)(D)I will shatter the bronze doorsand cut the iron bars in two.(E)

2 "I myself will go before you, and he will make the mountains level; I'll shatter bronze doors and cut through iron bars.

2 “I will go before you and level the mountains;I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.

3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

3 “I will give you the (c)(H)treasures of darknessAnd hidden wealth of secret places,So that you may know that it is I,The Lord, the God of Israel, who (I)calls you by your name.

3 I will give you the treasures of darknessand riches from secret places,(F)so that you may know that I, Yahweh,the God of Israel call you by your name.(G)

3 I'll give you concealed treasures and riches hidden in secret places, so that you'll know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness [the hoarded treasures]And the hidden riches of secret places,So that you may know that it is I,The Lord, the God of Israel, who calls you (Cyrus the Great) by your name.

4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

4 “For the sake of (J)Jacob My servant,And Israel My chosen one,I have also (K)called you by your name;I have given you a title of honorThough you have (L)not known Me.

4 I call you by your name,because of Jacob My servant(H)and Israel My chosen one.I give a name to you,though you do not know Me.

4 For the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen, I've called you, and he has established you with a name, although you have not acknowledged me.

4 “For the sake of Jacob My servant,And of Israel My chosen,I have also called you by your name;I have given you an honorable nameThough you have not known Me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

5 “I am the Lord, and (M)there is no other;(N)Besides Me there is no God.I will (d)(O)gird you, though you have not known Me;

5 I am Yahweh, and there is no other;(I)there is no God but Me.(J)I will strengthen(c) you,though you do not know Me,

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other besides me: and there are no gods. I'm strengthening you, although you have not acknowledged me,

5 “I am the Lord, and there is no one else;There is no God except Me.I will embrace and arm you, though you have not known Me,

6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

6 That (e)(P)men may know from the rising to the setting of the sunThat there is (Q)no one besides Me.I am the Lord, and there is no other,

6 so that all may know from the rising of the sun to its settingthat there is no one but Me.(K)I am Yahweh, and there is no other.

6 so that from the sun's rising to the west people may know that there is none besides me. "I am the LORD, and there is no other."

6 That people may know from the rising to the setting of the sun [the world over]That there is no one except Me.I am the Lord, and there is no other,

7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

7 The One (R)forming light and (S)creating darkness,Causing (f)well-being and (T)creating calamity;I am the Lord who does all these.

7 I form light and create darkness,(L)I make success and create disaster;(M)I, Yahweh, do all these things.

7 "I form light and create darkness, I make goodness and create disaster. I am the LORD, who does all these things.

7 The One forming light and creating darkness,Causing peace and creating disaster;I am the Lord who does all these things.

8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

8 (U)Drip down, O heavens, from above,And let the clouds pour down righteousness;Let the (V)earth open up and salvation bear fruit,(W)And righteousness spring up with it.I, the Lord, have created it.

8 “Heavens, sprinkle from above,and let the skies shower righteousness.(N)Let the earth open upso that salvation will sproutand righteousness will spring up with it.(O)I, Yahweh, have created it.

8 "Shout, you skies above, and you clouds, and let righteousness stream down. I am the one who says to the earth, "Let salvation blossom, and let righteousness sprout forth.'

8 “Rain down, O heavens, from above,Let the clouds pour down righteousness [all the blessings of God];Let the earth open up, let salvation bear fruit,And righteousness spring up with it;I, the Lord, have created it.

The Lord Of Creation And History

9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

9 “Woe to the one who (X)quarrels with his (g)Maker—An earthenware vessel (h)among the vessels of earth!Will the (Y)clay say to the (i)potter, ‘What are you doing?’Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?

9 “Woe to the one who argues with his Maker—one clay pot among many.(d)Does clay say to the one forming it,‘What are you making?’(P)Or does your work say,‘He has no hands’?(e)

9 "Woe to the one who quarrels with his makers, a mere potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Woe to the one who says to the one forming him, "What are you making?' or "Your work has no human hands?'!

9 “Woe (judgment is coming) to him who quarrels with his Maker—A [worthless] piece of broken pottery among other broken pieces [equally worthless]!Shall the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’Or does the thing say, ‘He has no hands’?(A)

10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

10 “Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’Or to a woman, ‘To what are you (j)giving birth?’”

10 How absurd is the one who says to his father,‘What are you fathering?’or to his mother,‘What are you giving birth to?’”

10 Woe to the one who says to his father, "What are you begetting?' or to a woman, "To what are you giving birth?'!"

10 “Woe (judgment is coming) to him who says to a father, ‘What are you fathering?’Or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’”

11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

11 Thus says the (Z)Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his (k)(AA)Maker:(l)(AB)Ask Me about the things to come (m)concerning My (AC)sons,And you shall commit to Me (AD)the work of My hands.

11 This is what the Lord,the Holy One of Israel(Q) and its Maker, says:“Ask Me what is to happen to(f) My sons,(R)and instruct Me about the work of My hands.(S)

11 This is what the Lord says, the Creator of the signs: "Question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands.

11 For the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker says this,“Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons,And give Me orders concerning the work of My hands.

12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

12 “It is I who (AE)made the earth, and created man upon it.I (AF)stretched out the heavens with My handsAnd I (n)ordained (AG)all their host.

12 I made the earth,and created man on it.It was My hands that stretched out the heavens,(T)and I commanded all their host.

12 I myself made the earth and personally created humankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the skies; I marshaled all their starry hosts."

12 “I made the earth and created man upon it.My hands, stretched out the heavens,And I commanded all their host.

13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

13 “I have aroused him in (AH)righteousnessAnd I will (AI)make all his ways smooth;He will (AJ)build My city and will let My exiles go (AK)free,Without any payment or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.

13 I have raised him up in righteousness,(U)and will level all roads for him.He will rebuild My city,(V)and set My exiles free,(W)not for a price or a bribe,”says the Lord of Hosts.

13 "I have aroused him in righteousness, and I'll make all his pathways smooth. It is he who will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price nor reward, " says the LORD of the Heavenly Armies.

13 “I have stirred up Cyrus and put him into action in righteousness [to accomplish My purpose]And I will make all his ways smooth;He will build My city and let My exiles go,Without any payment or reward,” says the Lord of hosts.

Yahweh The Only Savior

14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

14 Thus says the Lord,“The (o)products of (AL)Egypt and the merchandise of (p)(AM)CushAnd the Sabeans, men of stature,Will (AN)come over to you and will be yours;They will walk behind you, they will come over in (AO)chainsAnd will (AP)bow down to you;They will make supplication to you:(q)Surely, (AQ)God is (r)with you, and (AR)there is none else,No other God.’”

14 This is what the Lord says:The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cushand the Sabeans, men of stature,(X)will come over to you(Y)and will be yours;they will follow you,they will come over in chainsand bow down to you.They will confess(g) to you:God is indeed with you,(Z) and there is no other;there is no other God.

14 This is what the LORD says: "The wealth of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, those Sabeans, men of great heights. They'll come over to you and will be yours; They'll trudge behind you coming over in chains, they'll bow down to you. They'll plead with you, "Surely God is in you; and there is no other God at all.'"

14 For this is what the Lord says,“The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush (ancient Ethiopia)And the Sabeans, men of stature,Will come over to you and they will be yours;They will walk behind you, in chains [of subjection to you] they will come over,And they will bow down before you;They will make supplication to you, [humbly and earnestly] saying,(a)‘Most certainly God is with you, and there is no other,No other God [besides Him].’”(B)

15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

15 Truly, You are a God who (AS)hides Himself,O God of Israel, (AT)Savior!

15 Yes, You are a God who hides Himself,(AA)God of Israel, Savior.(AB)

15 "Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.

15 Truly, You are a God who hides Himself,O God of Israel, Savior!

16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

16 They will be (AU)put to shame and even humiliated, all of them;The (AV)manufacturers of idols will go away together in humiliation.

16 All of them are put to shame, even humiliated;(AC)the makers of idols go in humiliation together.

16 All of them will be put to shame indeed, disgraced! The makers of idols will go off in disgrace together.

16 They will be put to shame and also humiliated, all of them;They who make idols will go away together in humiliation.

17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

17 Israel has been saved by the LordWith an (AW)everlasting salvation;You (AX)will not be put to shame or humiliatedTo all eternity.

17 Israel will be saved by the Lordwith an everlasting salvation;you will not be put to shame or humiliatedfor all eternity.(AD)

17 But Israel will be saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation; you won't be put to shame or disgraced ever again."

17 Israel has been saved by the LordWith an everlasting salvation;You will not be put to shame or humiliatedfor all eternity.(C)

18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

18 For thus says the Lord, who (AY)created the heavens (He is the God who (AZ)formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it (s)a (BA)waste place, but formed it to be (BB)inhabited),“I am the Lord, and (BC)there is none else.

18 For this is what the Lord says—God is the Creator of the heavens.He formed the earth and made it.He established it;He did not create it to be empty,but formed it to be inhabited(AE)“I am Yahweh,and there is no other.

18 For this is what the LORD says, who created the heavens he is God, and the one who formed the earth and made it, and he is the one who established it; he didn't create itfor chaos, but formed it to be inhabited "I am the LORD and there is no other.

18 For the Lord, who created the heavens (b)(He is God, who formed the earth and made it; He established it and did not create it to be a wasteland, but formed it to be inhabited) says this,“I am the Lord, and there is no one else.

19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

19 (BD)I have not spoken in secret,In (t)some dark land;I did not say to the (u)(BE)offspring of Jacob,(BF)Seek Me in (v)a waste place’;I, the Lord, (BG)speak righteousness,(BH)Declaring things that are upright.

19 I have not spoken in secret,(AF)somewhere in a land of darkness.I did not say to the descendants of Jacob:Seek Me in a wasteland.(AG)I, Yahweh, speak truthfully;(AH)I say what is right.

19 I didn't speak in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I didn't say to Jacob's descendants, "Seek me in chaos.' I, the LORD, speak truth, declaring what is right.

19 “I have not spoken in secret,In a corner of a land of darkness;I did not say to the descendants of Jacob,‘Seek Me in vain [with no benefit for yourselves].’I, the Lord, speak righteousness [the truth—trustworthy, a straightforward correlation between deeds and words],Declaring things that are upright.(D)

20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

20 (BI)Gather yourselves and come;Draw near together, you fugitives of the nations;(BJ)They have no knowledge,Who (BK)carry about (w)their wooden idolAnd (BL)pray to a god who cannot save.

20 “Come, gather together,and draw near, you fugitives of the nations.Those who carry their wooden idols,and pray to a god who cannot save,(AI)have no knowledge.(AJ)

20 "Gather together and come; draw near and enter, your fugitives from the nations. Those who carry around their wooden idols know nothing, nor do those who keep praying to a god that cannot save.

20 “Assemble yourselves and come;Come together, you survivors of the nations!They are ignorant,Who carry around their wooden idols [in religious processions or into battle]And keep on praying to a god that cannot save them.

21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

21 (BM)Declare and set forth your case;Indeed, let them consult together.(BN)Who has announced this from of old?Who has long since declared it?Is it not I, the Lord?And there is (BO)no other God besides Me,A righteous God and a (BP)Savior;There is none except Me.

21 Speak up and present your case(h)(AK)yes, let them take counsel together.Who predicted this long ago?Who announced it from ancient times?Was it not I, Yahweh?There is no other God but Me,a righteous God and Savior;(AL)there is no one except Me.(AM)

21 Explain and present a case! Yes, let them take counsel together. Who announced this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides me, a righteous God and Savior; and there is none besides me.

21 “Declare and present your defense of idols;Indeed, let them consult together.Who announced this [rise of Cyrus and his conquests] long before it happened?Who declared it long ago?Was it not I, the Lord?And there is no other God besides Me,A [consistently and uncompromisingly] just and righteous God and a Savior;There is none except Me.

22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

22 (BQ)Turn to Me and (BR)be saved, all the ends of the earth;For I am God, and there is no other.

22 Turn to Me and be saved,all the ends of the earth.For I am God,and there is no other.

22 Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.

22 “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth;For I am God, and there is no other.

23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

23 (BS)I have sworn by Myself,The (BT)word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousnessAnd will not turn back,That to Me (BU)every knee will bow, every tongue will (BV)swear allegiance.

23 By Myself I have sworn;(AN)Truth has gone from My mouth,(AO)a word that will not be revoked:Every knee will bow(AP) to Me,every tongue will swear allegiance.

23 By myself I have sworn from my mouth has gone out integrity, a promise that won't be revoked: "To me every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear.'

23 “I have sworn [an oath] by Myself,The word is gone out of My mouth in righteousnessAnd shall not return,That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance].(E)

24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

24 “They will say of Me, ‘Only (BW)in the Lord are righteousness and strength.’Men will come to Him,And (BX)all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.

24 It will be said to Me: Righteousness and strengthis only in the Lord.”All who are enraged against Himwill come to Him and be put to shame.(AQ)

24 One will say of me, "Only in the LORD are victories and might.' All who raged against him will come to him and will be put to shame.

24 “It shall be said of Me, ‘Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength.’To Him people will come,And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame.(F)

25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

25 “In the Lord all the offspring of IsraelWill be (BY)justified and will (BZ)glory.”

25 All the descendants of Israelwill be justified and find glory through the Lord.

25 In the LORD all the descendants of Israel will triumph and make their boast."

25 “In the Lord all the offspring of IsraelWill be justified (declared free of guilt) and will glory [in God].”

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