Category: Isaiah

Do You Feel Like a Lowly Worm?

1 “Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. Listen!

Sit down and rest, everyone. Recover your strength.

Gather around me. Say what’s on your heart.

Together let’s decide what’s right.

2-3 “Who got things rolling here,

got this champion from the east on the move?

Who recruited him for this job,

then rounded up and corralled the nations

so he could run roughshod over kings?

He’s off and running,

pulverizing nations into dust,

leaving only stubble and chaff in his wake.

He chases them and comes through unscathed,

his feet scarcely touching the path.

4 “Who did this? Who made it happen?

Who always gets things started?

I did.God. I’m first on the scene.

I’m also the last to leave.

5-7 “Far-flung ocean islands see it and panic.

The ends of the earth are shaken.

Fearfully they huddle together.

They try to help each other out,

making up stories in the dark.

The godmakers in the workshops

go into overtime production, crafting new models of no-gods,

Urging one another on—‘Good job!’ ‘Great design!’—

pounding in nails at the base

so that the things won’t tip over.

8-10 “But you, Israel, are my servant.

You’re Jacob, my first choice,

descendants of my good friend Abraham.

I pulled you in from all over the world,

called you in from every dark corner of the earth,

Telling you, ‘You’re my servant, serving on my side.

I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you.’

Don’t panic. I’m with you.

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.

I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.

I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

11-13 “Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you

will end up out in the cold—

real losers.

Those who worked against you

will end up empty-handed—

nothing to show for their lives.

When you go out looking for your old adversaries

you won’t find them—

Not a trace of your old enemies,

not even a memory.

That’s right. Because I, yourGod,

have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.

I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.

I’m right here to help you.’

14-16 “Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?

Don’t be afraid.

Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?

I’ll help you.

I,God, want to reassure you.

The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.

I’m transforming you from worm to harrow,

from insect to iron.

As a sharp-toothed harrow you’ll smooth out the mountains,

turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.

You’ll open the rough ground to the weather,

to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.

But you’ll be confident and exuberant,

expansive in The Holy of Israel!

17-20 “The poor and homeless are desperate for water,

their tongues parched and no water to be found.

ButI’mthere to be found, I’m there for them,

and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.

I’ll open up rivers for them on the barren hills,

spout fountains in the valleys.

I’ll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond,

the waterless waste into splashing creeks.

I’ll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland,

also acacia, myrtle, and olive.

I’ll place the cypress in the desert,

with plenty of oaks and pines.

Everyone will see this. No one can miss it—

unavoidable, indisputable evidence

That I,God, personally did this.

It’s created and signed by The Holy of Israel.

21-24 “Set out your case for your gods,” saysGod.

“Bring your evidence,” says the King of Jacob.

“Take the stand on behalf of your idols, offer arguments,

assemble reasons.

Spread out the facts before us

so that we can assess them ourselves.

Ask them, ‘If you are gods, explain what the past means—

or, failing that, tell us what will happen in the future.

Can’t do that?

How about doing something—anything!

Good or bad—whatever.

Can you hurt us or help us? Do we need to be afraid?’

They say nothing, because theyarenothing—

sham gods, no-gods, fool-making gods.

25-29 “I, God, started someone out from the north and he’s come.

He was called out of the east by name.

He’ll stomp the rulers into the mud

the way a potter works the clay.

Let me ask you, Did anyone guess that this might happen?

Did anyone tell us earlier so we might confirm it

with ‘Yes, he’s right!’?

No one mentioned it, no one announced it,

no one heard a peep out of you.

But I told Zion all about this beforehand.

I gave Jerusalem a preacher of good news.

But around here there’s no one—

no one who knows what’s going on.

I ask, but no one can tell me the score.

Nothing here. It’s all smoke and hot air—

sham gods, hollow gods, no-gods.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/41-1ccc91d14227eff0ccb6b22b19db9976.mp3?version_id=97—

God’s Servant Will Set Everything Right

1-4 “Take a good look at my servant.

I’m backing him to the hilt.

He’s the one I chose,

and I couldn’t be more pleased with him.

I’ve bathed him with my Spirit, mylife.

He’ll set everything right among the nations.

He won’t call attention to what he does

with loud speeches or gaudy parades.

He won’t brush aside the bruised and the hurt

and he won’t disregard the small and insignificant,

but he’ll steadily and firmly set things right.

He won’t tire out and quit. He won’t be stopped

until he’s finished his work—to set things right on earth.

Far-flung ocean islands

wait expectantly for his teaching.”

The God Who Makes Us Alive with His Own Life

5-9 God’s Message,

the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies,

laid out the earth and all that grows from it,

Who breathes life into earth’s people,

makes them alive with his own life:

“I amGod. I have called you to live right and well.

I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe.

I have set you among my people to bind them to me,

and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations,

To make a start at bringing people into the open, into light:

opening blind eyes,

releasing prisoners from dungeons,

emptying the dark prisons.

I amGod. That’s my name.

I don’t franchise my glory,

don’t endorse the no-god idols.

Take note: The earlier predictions of judgment have been fulfilled.

I’m announcing the new salvation work.

Before it bursts on the scene,

I’m telling you all about it.”

10-16 Sing toGoda brand-new song,

sing his praises all over the world!

Let the sea and its fish give a round of applause,

with all the far-flung islands joining in.

Let the desert and its camps raise a tune,

calling the Kedar nomads to join in.

Let the villagers in Sela round up a choir

and perform from the tops of the mountains.

MakeGod’s glory resound;

echo his praises from coast to coast.

Godsteps out like he means business.

You can see he’s primed for action.

He shouts, announcing his arrival;

he takes charge and his enemies fall into line:

“I’ve been quiet long enough.

I’ve held back, biting my tongue.

But now I’m letting loose, letting go,

like a woman who’s having a baby—

Stripping the hills bare,

withering the wildflowers,

Drying up the rivers,

turning lakes into mudflats.

But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way,

who can’t see where they’re going.

I’ll be a personal guide to them,

directing them through unknown country.

I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take,

make sure they don’t fall into the ditch.

These are the things I’ll be doing for them—

sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute.”

17 But those who invested in the no-gods

are bankrupt—dead broke.

You’ve Seen a Lot, but Looked at Nothing

18-25 Pay attention! Are you deaf?

Open your eyes! Are you blind?

You’re my servant, and you’re not looking!

You’re my messenger, and you’re not listening!

The very people I depended upon, servants ofGod,

blind as a bat—willfully blind!

You’ve seen a lot, but looked at nothing.

You’ve heard everything, but listened to nothing.

Godintended, out of the goodness of his heart,

to be lavish in his revelation.

But this is a people battered and cowed,

shut up in attics and closets,

Victims licking their wounds,

feeling ignored, abandoned.

But is anyone out there listening?

Is anyone paying attention to what’s coming?

Who do you think turned Jacob over to the thugs,

let loose the robbers on Israel?

Wasn’t itGodhimself, this God against whom we’ve sinned—

not doing what he commanded,

not listening to what he said?

Isn’t it God’s anger that’s behind all this,

God’s punishing power?

Their whole world collapsed but they still didn’t get it;

their life is in ruins but they don’t take it to heart.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/42-b1be83321c241994819d8389d3b7fc36.mp3?version_id=97—

When You’re Between a Rock and a Hard Place

1-4 But now,God’s Message,

the God who made you in the first place, Jacob,

the One who got you started, Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.

I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place,

it won’t be a dead end—

Because I amGod, your personal God,

The Holy of Israel, your Savior.

I paid a huge price for you:

all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

That’show much you mean to me!

That’show much I love you!

I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,

trade the creation just for you.

5-7 “So don’t be afraid: I’m with you.

I’ll round up all your scattered children,

pull them in from east and west.

I’ll send orders north and south:

‘Send them back.

Return my sons from distant lands,

my daughters from faraway places.

I want them back, every last one who bears my name,

every man, woman, and child

Whom I created for my glory,

yes, personally formed and made each one.’”

8-13 Get the blind and deaf out here and ready—

the blind (though there’s nothing wrong with their eyes)

and the deaf (though there’s nothing wrong with their ears).

Then get the other nations out here and ready.

Let’s see what they have to say about this,

how they account for what’s happened.

Let them present their expert witnesses

and make their case;

let them try to convince us what they say is true.

“Butyouare my witnesses.”God’s Decree.

“You’re my handpicked servant

So that you’ll come to know and trust me,

understand boththatI am andwhoI am.

Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,

nor will there be after me.

I, yes I, amGod.

I’m the only Savior there is.

I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed

long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.

And you know it, you’re my witnesses,

you’re the evidence.”God’s Decree.

“Yes, I am God.

I’ve always been God

and I always will be God.

No one can take anything from me.

I make; who can unmake it?”

You Didn’t Even Do the Minimum

14-15 God, your Redeemer,

The Holy of Israel, says:

“Just for you, I will march on Babylon.

I’ll turn the tables on the Babylonians.

Instead of whooping it up,

they’ll be wailing.

I amGod, your Holy One,

Creator of Israel, your King.”

16-21 This is whatGodsays,

the God who builds a road right through the ocean,

who carves a path through pounding waves,

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—

they lie down and then can’t get up;

they’re snuffed out like so many candles:

“Forget about what’s happened;

don’t keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.

It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?

There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,

rivers in the badlands.

Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’

—the coyotes and the buzzards—

Because I provided water in the desert,

rivers through the sun-baked earth,

Drinking water for the people I chose,

the people I made especially for myself,

a people custom-made to praise me.

22-24 “But you didn’t pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob.

You so quickly tired of me, Israel.

You wouldn’t even bring sheep for offerings in worship.

You couldn’t be bothered with sacrifices.

It wasn’t that I asked that much from you.

I didn’t expect expensive presents.

But you didn’t even do the minimum—

so stingy with me, so closefisted.

Yet you haven’t been stingy with your sins.

You’ve been plenty generous with them—and I’m fed up.

25 “But I, yes I, am the one

who takes care of your sins—that’s what I do.

I don’t keep a list of your sins.

26-28 “So, make your case against me. Let’s have this out.

Make your arguments. Prove you’re in the right.

Your original ancestor started the sinning,

and everyone since has joined in.

That’s why I had to disqualify the Temple leaders,

repudiate Jacob and discredit Israel.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/43-94cbf2d0d93b2331302f30a9ebeb643f.mp3?version_id=97—

Proud to Be Called Israel

1-5 “But for now, dear servant Jacob, listen—

yes, you, Israel, my personal choice.

Godwho made you has something to say to you;

the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you.

Don’t be afraid, dear servant Jacob,

Jeshurun, the one I chose.

For I will pour water on the thirsty ground

and send streams coursing through the parched earth.

I will pour my Spirit into your descendants

and my blessing on your children.

They shall sprout like grass on the prairie,

like willows alongside creeks.

This one will say, ‘I amGod’s,’

and another will go by the name Jacob;

That one will write on his hand ‘God’s property’—

and be proud to be called Israel.”

6-8 God, King of Israel,

your Redeemer,God-of-the-Angel-Armies, says:

“I’m first, I’m last, and everything in between.

I’m the only God there is.

Who compares with me?

Speak up. See if you measure up.

From the beginning, who else has always announced what’s coming?

So what is coming next? Anybody want to venture a try?

Don’t be afraid, and don’t worry:

Haven’t I always kept you informed, told you what was going on?

You’re my eyewitnesses:

Have you ever come across a God, a real God, other than me?

There’s no Rock like me that I know of.”

Lover of Emptiness

9-11 All those who make no-god idols don’t amount to a thing, and what they work so hard at making is nothing. Their little puppet-gods see nothing and know nothing—they’re total embarrassments! Who would bother making gods that can’t do anything, that can’t“god”? Watch all the no-god worshipers hide their faces in shame. Watch the no-god makers slink off humiliated when their idols fail them. Get them out here in the open. Make them face God-reality.

12 The blacksmith makes his no-god, works it over in his forge, hammering it on his anvil—such hard work! He works away, fatigued with hunger and thirst.

13-17 The woodworker draws up plans for his no-god, traces it on a block of wood. He shapes it with chisels and planes into human shape—a beautiful woman, a handsome man, ready to be placed in a chapel. He first cuts down a cedar, or maybe picks out a pine or oak, and lets it grow strong in the forest, nourished by the rain. Then it can serve a double purpose: Part he uses as firewood for keeping warm and baking bread; from the other part he makes a god that he worships—carves it into a god shape and prays before it. With half he makes a fire to warm himself and barbecue his supper. He eats his fill and sits back satisfied with his stomach full and his feet warmed by the fire: “Ah, this is the life.” And he still has half left for a god, made to his personal design—a handy, convenient no-god to worship whenever so inclined. Whenever the need strikes him he prays to it, “Save me. You’re my god.”

18-19 Pretty stupid, wouldn’t you say? Don’t they have eyes in their heads? Are their brains working at all? Doesn’t it occur to them to say, “Half of this tree I used for firewood: I baked bread, roasted meat, and enjoyed a good meal. And now I’ve used the rest to make an abominable no-god. Here I am praying to a stick of wood!”

20 This lover of emptiness, of nothing, is so out of touch with reality, so far gone, that he can’t even look at what he’s doing, can’t even look at the no-god stick of wood in his hand and say, “This is crazy.”

21-22 “Remember these things, O Jacob.

Take it seriously, Israel, that you’re my servant.

I made you,shapedyou: You’re my servant.

O Israel, I’ll never forget you.

I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings.

There’s nothing left of your sins.

Come back to me, come back.

I’ve redeemed you.”

23 High heavens, sing!

Godhas done it.

Deep earth, shout!

And you mountains, sing!

A forest choir of oaks and pines and cedars!

Godhas redeemed Jacob.

God’s glory is on display in Israel.

24 God, your Redeemer,

who shaped your life in your mother’s womb, says:

“I amGod. I made all that is.

With no help from you I spread out the skies

and laid out the earth.”

25-28 He makes the magicians look ridiculous

and turns fortunetellers into jokes.

He makes the experts look trivial

and their latest knowledge look silly.

But he backs the word of his servant

and confirms the counsel of his messengers.

He says to Jerusalem, “Be inhabited,”

and to the cities of Judah, “Be rebuilt,”

and to the ruins, “I raise you up.”

He says to Ocean, “Dry up.

I’m drying up your rivers.”

He says to Cyrus, “My shepherd—

everything I want, you’ll do it.”

He says to Jerusalem, “Be built,”

and to the Temple, “Be established.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/44-0df4f44d7c249451b5da9e17284b8778.mp3?version_id=97—

The God Who Forms Light and Darkness

1-7 God’s Message to his anointed,

to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand

To give the task of taming the nations,

of terrifying their kings—

He gave him free rein,

no restrictions:

“I’ll go ahead of you,

clearing and paving the road.

I’ll break down bronze city gates,

smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.

I’ll lead you to buried treasures,

secret caches of valuables—

Confirmations that it is, in fact, I,God,

the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

It’s because of my dear servant Jacob,

Israel my chosen,

That I’ve singled you out, called you by name,

and given you this privileged work.

And you don’t even know me!

I amGod, the only God there is.

Besides me there are no real gods.

I’m the one who armed you for this work,

though you don’t even know me,

So that everyone, from east to west, will know

that I have no god-rivals.

I amGod, the only God there is.

I form light and create darkness,

I make harmonies and create discords.

I,God, do all these things.

8-10 “Open up, heavens, and rain.

Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness!

Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation;

sprout right living.

I,God, generate all this.

But doom to you who fight your Maker—

you’re a pot at odds with the potter!

Does clay talk back to the potter:

‘What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!’

Would a sperm say to a father,

‘Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?’

Or a fetus to a mother,

‘Why have you cooped me up in this belly?’”

11-13 ThusGod, The Holy of Israel, Israel’s Maker, says:

“Do you question who or what I’m making?

Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?

I made earth,

and I created man and woman to live on it.

I handcrafted the skies

and direct all the constellations in their turnings.

And now I’ve got Cyrus on the move.

I’ve rolled out the red carpet before him.

He will build my city.

He will bring home my exiles.

I didn’t hire him to do this. Itoldhim.

I,God-of-the-Angel-Armies.”

14 Godsays:

“The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia,

and those statuesque Sabeans

Will all come over to you—all yours.

Docile in chains, they’ll follow you,

Hands folded in reverence, praying before you:

‘Amazing! God is with you!

There is no other God—none.’”

Look at the Evidence

15-17 Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes,

God of Israel, Savior God.

Humiliated, all those others

will be ashamed to show their faces in public.

Out of work and at loose ends, the makers of no-god idols

won’t know what to do with themselves.

The people of Israel, though, are saved by you,God,

saved with an eternal salvation.

They won’t be ashamed,

they won’t be at loose ends, ever.

18-24 God, Creator of the heavens—

he is, remember,God.

Maker of earth—

he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch.

He didn’t go to all that trouble

to just leave it empty, nothing in it.

He made it to be lived in.

ThisGodsays:

“I amGod,

the one and only.

I don’t just talk to myself

or mumble under my breath.

I never told Jacob,

‘Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.’

I amGod. I work out in the open,

saying what’s right, setting things right.

So gather around, come on in,

all you refugees and castoffs.

They don’t seem to know much, do they—

those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood,

praying for help to a dead stick?

So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence.

Put your heads together. Make your case.

Who told you, and a long time ago, what’s going on here?

Who made sense of things for you?

Wasn’t I the one?God?

It had to be me. I’m the only God there is—

The only God who does things right

and knows how to help.

So turn to me and be helped—saved!—

everyone, whoever and wherever you are.

I amGod,

the only God there is, the one and only.

I promise in my own name:

Every word out of my mouth does what it says.

I never take back what I say.

Everyone is going to end up kneeling before me.

Everyone is going to end up saying of me,

‘Yes! Salvation and strength are inGod!’”

24-25 All who have raged against him

will be brought before him,

disgraced by their unbelief.

And all who are connected with Israel

will have a robust, praising, good life inGod!

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/45-b725c572c5192846db75fddc10a9c284.mp3?version_id=97—

This Is Serious Business, Rebels

1-2 The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps.

The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules

And have to be hauled off,

wearing out the poor mules—

Dead weight, burdens who can’t bear burdens,

hauled off to captivity.

3-4 “Listen to me, family of Jacob,

everyone that’s left of the family of Israel.

I’ve been carrying you on my back

from the day you were born,

And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old.

I’ll be there, bearing you when you’re old and gray.

I’ve done it and will keep on doing it,

carrying you on my back, saving you.

5-7 “So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?

Can you picture me without reducing me?

People with a lot of money

hire craftsmen to make them gods.

The artisan delivers the god,

and they kneel and worship it!

They carry it around in holy parades,

then take it home and put it on a shelf.

And there it sits, day in and day out,

a dependable god, always right where you put it.

Say anything you want to it, it never talks back.

Of course, it neverdoesanything either!

8-11 “Think about this. Wrap your minds around it.

This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart.

Remember your history,

your long and rich history.

I amGod, the only God you’ve had or ever will have—

incomparable, irreplaceable—

From the very beginning

telling you what the ending will be,

All along letting you in

on what is going to happen,

Assuring you, ‘I’m in this for the long haul,

I’ll do exactly what I set out to do,’

Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east,

from a far country the man I chose to help me.

I’ve said it, and I’ll most certainly do it.

I’ve planned it, so it’s as good as done.

12-13 “Now listen to me:

You’re a hardheaded bunch and hard to help.

I’m ready to help you right now.

Deliverance is not a long-range plan.

Salvation isn’t on hold.

I’m putting salvation to work in Zion now,

and glory in Israel.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/46-3317a4efb1a84cb6f887bbe197bcf2d6.mp3?version_id=97—

The Party’s Over

1-3 “Get off your high horse and sit in the dirt,

virgin daughter of Babylon.

No more throne for you—sit on the ground,

daughter of the Chaldeans.

Nobody will be calling you ‘charming’

and ‘alluring’ anymore. Get used to it.

Get a job, any old job:

Clean gutters, scrub toilets.

Hock your gowns and scarves,

put on overalls—the party’s over.

Your nude body will be on public display,

exposed to vulgar taunts.

It’s vengeance time, and I’m taking vengeance.

No one gets let off the hook.”

You’re Acting Like the Center of the Universe

4-13 Our Redeemer speaks,

namedGod-of-the-Angel-Armies, The Holy of Israel:

“Shut up and get out of the way,

daughter of Chaldeans.

You’ll no longer be called

‘First Lady of the Kingdoms.’

I was fed up with my people,

thoroughly disgusted with my progeny.

I turned them over to you,

but you had no compassion.

You put old men and women

to cruel, hard labor.

You said, ‘I’m the First Lady.

I’ll always be the pampered darling.’

You took nothing seriously, took nothing to heart,

never gave tomorrow a thought.

Well, start thinking, playgirl.

You’re acting like the center of the universe,

Smugly saying to yourself, ‘I’m Number One. There’s nobody but me.

I’ll never be a widow, I’ll never lose my children.’

Those two things are going to hit you both at once,

suddenly, on the same day:

Spouse and children gone, a total loss,

despite your many enchantments and charms.

You were so confident and comfortable in your evil life,

saying, ‘No one sees me.’

You thought you knew so much, had everything figured out.

What delusion!

Smugly telling yourself, ‘I’m Number One. There’s nobody but me.’

Ruin descends—

you can’t charm it away.

Disaster strikes—

you can’t cast it off with spells.

Catastrophe, sudden and total—

and you’re totally at sea, totally bewildered!

But don’t give up. From your great repertoire

of enchantments there must be one you haven’t yet tried.

You’ve been at this a long time.

Surelysomethingwill work.

I know you’re exhausted trying out remedies,

but don’t give up.

Call in the astrologers and stargazers.

They’re good at this. Surely they can work up something!

14-15 “Fat chance. You’d be grasping at straws

that are already in the fire,

A fire that is even now raging.

Your ‘experts’ are in it and won’t get out.

It’s not a fire for cooking venison stew,

not a fire to warm you on a winter night!

That’s the fate of your friends in sorcery, your magician buddies

you’ve been in cahoots with all your life.

They reel, confused, bumping into one another.

None of them bother to help you.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/47-4856145458156f8bd9de9ca73469aa97.mp3?version_id=97—

Tested in the Furnace of Affliction

1-11 “And now listen to this, family of Jacob,

you who are called by the name Israel:

Who got you started in the loins of Judah,

you who useGod’s name to back up your promises

and pray to the God of Israel?

But do you mean it?

Do you live like it?

You claim to be citizens of the Holy City;

you act as though you lean on the God of Israel,

namedGod-of-the-Angel-Armies.

For a long time now, I’ve let you in on the way I work:

I told you what I was going to do beforehand,

then I did it and it was done, and that’s that.

I know you’re a bunch of hardheads,

obstinate and flint-faced,

So I got a running start and began telling you

what was going on before it even happened.

That is why you can’t say,

‘My god-idol did this.’

‘My favorite god-carving commanded this.’

You have all this evidence

confirmed by your own eyes and ears.

Shouldn’t you be talking about it?

And that was just the beginning.

I have a lot more to tell you,

things you never knew existed.

This isn’t a variation on the same old thing.

This is new, brand-new,

something you’d never guess or dream up.

When you hear this you won’t be able to say,

‘I knew that all along.’

You’ve never been good listeners to me.

You have a history of ignoring me,

A sorry track record of fickle attachments—

rebels from the womb.

But out of the sheer goodness of my heart,

because of who I am,

I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper.

I don’t wash my hands of you.

Do you see what I’ve done?

I’ve refined you, but not without fire.

I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.

Out of myself, simply because of who I am, I do what I do.

I have my reputation to keep up.

I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.

12-13 “Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel—

I’m the One who named you!

I’m the One.

I got things started and, yes, I’ll wrap them up.

Earth is my work, handmade.

And the skies—I made them, too, horizon to horizon.

When I speak, they’re on their feet, at attention.

14-16 “Come everybody, gather around, listen:

Who among the gods has delivered the news?

I,God, love this man Cyrus, and I’m using him

to do what I want with Babylon.

I, yes I, have spoken. I’ve called him.

I’ve brought him here. He’ll be successful.

Come close, listen carefully:

I’ve never kept secrets from you.

I’ve always been present with you.”

Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand

16-19 And now, the Master,God, sends me and his Spirit

with this Message fromGod

your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:

“I amGod, your God,

who teaches you how to live right and well.

I show you what to do, where to go.

If you had listened all along to what I told you,

your life would have flowed full like a river,

blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.

Children and grandchildren are like sand,

your progeny like grains of sand.

There would be no end of them,

no danger of losing touch with me.”

20 Get out of Babylon! Run from the Babylonians!

Shout the news. Broadcast it.

Let the world know, the whole world.

Tell them, “Godredeemed his dear servant Jacob!”

21 They weren’t thirsty when he led them through the deserts.

He made water pour out of the rock;

he split the rock and the water gushed.

22 “There is no peace,” saysGod, “for the wicked.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/48-9ef07305cdc1d5ec8b2e5c1da6bb9761.mp3?version_id=97—

A Light for the Nations

1-3 Listen, far-flung islands,

pay attention, faraway people:

Godput me to work from the day I was born.

The moment I entered the world he named me.

He gave me speech that would cut and penetrate.

He kept his hand on me to protect me.

He made me his straight arrow

and hid me in his quiver.

He said to me, “You’re my dear servant,

Israel, through whom I’ll shine.”

4 But I said, “I’ve worked for nothing.

I’ve nothing to show for a life of hard work.

Nevertheless, I’ll letGodhave the last word.

I’ll let him pronounce his verdict.”

5-6 “And now,”Godsays,

this God who took me in hand

from the moment of birth to be his servant,

To bring Jacob back home to him,

to set a reunion for Israel—

What an honor for me inGod’s eyes!

That God should be my strength!

He says, “But that’s not a big enough job for my servant—

just to recover the tribes of Jacob,

merely to round up the strays of Israel.

I’m setting you up as a light for thenations

so that my salvation becomesglobal!”

7 God, Redeemer of Israel, The Holy of Israel,

says to the despised one, kicked around by the nations,

slave labor to the ruling class:

“Kings will see, get to their feet—the princes, too—

and then fall on their faces in homage

Because ofGod, who has faithfully kept his word,

The Holy of Israel, who has chosen you.”

8-12 Godalso says:

“When the time’s ripe, I answer you.

When victory’s due, I help you.

I form you and use you

to reconnect the people with me,

To put the land in order,

to resettle families on the ruined properties.

I tell prisoners, ‘Come on out. You’re free!’

and those huddled in fear, ‘It’s all right. It’s safe now.’

There’ll be foodstands along all the roads,

picnics on all the hills—

Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty,

shade from the sun, shelter from the wind,

For the Compassionate One guides them,

takes them to the best springs.

I’ll make all my mountains into roads,

turn them into a superhighway.

Look: These coming from far countries,

and those, out of the north,

These streaming in from the west,

and those from all the way down the Nile!”

13 Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead!

Mountains, send up cheers!

Godhas comforted his people.

He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

14 But Zion said, “I don’t get it.Godhas left me.

My Master has forgotten I even exist.”

15-18 “Can a mother forget the infant at her breast,

walk away from the baby she bore?

But even if mothers forget,

I’d never forget you—never.

Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands.

The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight.

Your builders are faster than your wreckers.

The demolition crews are gone for good.

Look up, look around, look well!

See them all gathering, coming to you?

As sure as I am the living God”—God’s Decree—

“you’re going to put them on like so much jewelry,

you’re going to use them to dress up like a bride.

19-21 “And your ruined land?

Your devastated, decimated land?

Filled with more people than you know what to do with!

And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.

The children born in your exile will be saying,

‘It’s getting too crowded here. I need more room.’

And you’ll say to yourself,

‘Where on earth did these children come from?

I lost everything, had nothing, was exiled and penniless.

So who reared these children?

How did these children get here?’”

22-23 The Master,God, says:

“Look! I signal to the nations,

I raise my flag to summon the people.

Here they’ll come: women carrying your little boys in their arms,

men carrying your little girls on their shoulders.

Kings will be your babysitters,

princesses will be your nursemaids.

They’ll offer to do all your drudge work—

scrub your floors, do your laundry.

You’ll know then that I amGod.

No one who hopes in me ever regrets it.”

24-26 Can plunder be retrieved from a giant,

prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant?

ButGodsays, “Even if a giant grips the plunder

and a tyrant holds my people prisoner,

I’m the one who’s on your side,

defending your cause, rescuing your children.

And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves,

killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction.

Then everyone will know that I,God,

have saved you—I, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/49-ec12b77deeb8554752e74bb8961bbef1.mp3?version_id=97—

Who Out There Fears God?

1-3 Godsays:

“Can you produce your mother’s divorce papers

proving I got rid of her?

Can you produce a receipt

proving I sold you?

Of course you can’t.

It’s your sins that put you here,

your wrongs that got you shipped out.

So why didn’t anyone come when I knocked?

Why didn’t anyone answer when I called?

Do you think I’ve forgotten how to help?

Am I so decrepit that I can’t deliver?

I’m as powerful as ever,

and can reverse what I once did:

I can dry up the sea with a word,

turn river water into desert sand,

And leave the fish stinking in the sun,

stranded on dry land . . .

Turn all the lights out in the sky

and pull down the curtain.”

4-9 The Master,God, has given me

a well-taught tongue,

So I know how to encourage tired people.

He wakes me up in the morning,

Wakes me up, opens my ears

to listen as one ready to take orders.

The Master,God, opened my ears,

and I didn’t go back to sleep,

didn’t pull the covers back over my head.

I followed orders,

stood there and took it while they beat me,

held steady while they pulled out my beard,

Didn’t dodge their insults,

faced them as they spit in my face.

And the Master,God, stays right there and helps me,

so I’m not disgraced.

Therefore I set my face like flint,

confident that I’ll never regret this.

My champion is right here.

Let’s take our stand together!

Who dares bring suit against me?

Let him try!

Look! the Master,God, is right here.

Who would dare call me guilty?

Look! My accusers are a clothes bin of threadbare

socks and shirts, fodder for moths!

10-11 Who out there fearsGod,

actually listens to the voice of his servant?

For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going,

anyone groping in the dark,

Here’s what: Trust inGod.

Leanon your God!

But if all you’re after is making trouble,

playing with fire,

Go ahead and see where it gets you.

Set your fires, stir people up, blow on the flames,

But don’t expect me to just stand there and watch.

I’ll hold your feet to those flames.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/85/32k/ISA/50-6893a3f4ec13aedc26b3e230a43bf3bc.mp3?version_id=97—