1Yet now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2This is what the LORD says, who made you and formed you from the womb, and who will help you: "Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, and you, Jesurun, whom I have chosen."
3"For I will pour water on the thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my spirit on your children, and my blessing on those who come after you."
4"They will spring up like grass, like willows by the flowing streams."
5"One will say, 'I belong to the LORD.' Another will call himself by the name of Jacob. Another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and take the name of Israel."
6This is what the LORD says, the King of Israel and his redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first, and I am the last. There is no God but me."
7"Who is like me? Let him call out and tell it, and set it in order before me, since I appointed the people of old. Let them tell what is coming, and what will happen."
8"Do not fear, and do not be afraid. Have I not told you this long ago, and made it known? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know of none."
9All who make a carved image are nothing, and the things they delight in are of no use. They are their own witnesses. They do not see, and they do not know, so they will be put to shame.
10Who shapes a god, or casts an image, that is good for nothing?
11Look, all his companions will be ashamed. The workmen are only men. Let them all gather together, let them stand up. They will be afraid, and they will be ashamed together.
12The blacksmith takes his tongs and works in the coals. He shapes the idol with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms. He grows hungry, and his strength fails. He drinks no water, and he grows faint.
13The carpenter stretches out his measuring line. He marks the wood out with a line. He shapes it with planes, and marks it out with the compass. He makes it like a man, with the beauty of a man, so that it may stay in the house.
14He cuts down cedars for himself. He takes the cypress and the oak, which he lets grow strong for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants an ash tree, and the rain makes it grow.
15Then it is there for a man to burn. He takes some of it and warms himself. Yes, he lights it, and bakes bread. Yes, he makes a god, and worships it. He makes it into a carved image, and bows down to it.
16He burns part of it in the fire. With part of it he cooks meat; he roasts his roast and is satisfied. Yes, he warms himself and says, "Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire."
17And the rest of it he makes into a god, his carved image. He falls down to it and worships it, and prays to it, and says, "Save me, for you are my god."
18They have not known, and they have not understood. For he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
19No one thinks it over in his heart. No one has the knowledge or the understanding to say, "I burned part of it in the fire. I even baked bread on its coals. I roasted meat, and ate it. And shall I make the rest of it into a hateful thing? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?"
20He feeds on ashes. A deceived heart has turned him aside, so that he cannot save his soul, or say, "Is there not 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, you will not be forgotten by me.
22I have wiped out your sins like a thick cloud, and your wrongdoing like a cloud. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23Sing, you heavens, for the LORD has done it. Shout, you deep places of the earth. Break out into singing, you mountains, and you forest, and every tree in it. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and shown his glory in Israel.
24This is what the LORD says, your redeemer, who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD who makes all things, who alone stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself;"
25"who ruins the signs of liars, and makes those who tell fortunes go mad; who turns wise men back, and makes their knowledge foolish;"
26"who confirms the word of his servant, and carries out the plan of his messengers; who says to Jerusalem, 'You will be lived in,' and to the cities of Judah, 'You will be built,' and I will raise up their ruins;"
27"who says to the deep, 'Be dry,' and I will dry up your rivers;"