Isaiah 44:28–45:4

²⁸He says about Cyrus, “He is my shepherd. 

He will do everything I want him to do.” 

He says about Jerusalem, “It will be rebuilt.” 

He says about the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.” 

45TH CHAPTER

¹This is what the Lord says about Cyrus, his^aanointed one: 

I have held him by his right hand 

so he could conquer the nations ahead of him, 

strip kings of their power, 

and open doors ahead of him 

so that the gates would not be shut. 

²I will go ahead of you, Cyrus, and smooth out the rough places. 

I will break down the bronze doors and cut through the iron bars. 

³I will give you treasures from dark places and hidden stockpiles. 

Then you will know that I, the Lord God of Israel, 

have called you by name. 

⁴For the sake of my servant Jacob, 

Israel, my chosen one, 

I have called you by name. 

I have given you a title of honor, although you don’t know me.