Isaiah 44:28–45:6

^28*I say to Cyrus, ‘You are the one who will rule for me;

you will do what I want you to do:

you will order Jerusalem to be rebuilt

and the Temple foundations to be laid.’ ”

The Appoints Cyrus

45The Lord has chosen Cyrus to be king!

He has appointed him to conquer nations;

he sends him to strip kings of their power;

the Lord will open the gates of cities for him.

To Cyrus the Lord says,

²“I myself will prepare your way,

levelling mountains and hills.

I will break down bronze gates

and smash their iron bars.

³I will give you treasures from dark, secret places;

then you will know that I am the Lord,

and that the God of Israel has called you by name.

⁴I appoint you to help my servant Israel,

the people that I have chosen.

I have given you great honour,

although you do not know me.

⁵“I am the Lord; there is no other god.

I will give you the strength you need,

although you do not know me.

⁶I do this so that everyone

from one end of the world to the other

may know that I am the Lord

and that there is no other god.