Isaiah 44:26–45:4

26 aConfirming the word of His servant

And 1performing the purpose of His messengers.

It is I who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited!’

And of the bcities of Judah, ‘cThey shall be built.’

And I will raise up her ruins again.

27 “It is I who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Be dried up!’

And I will make your rivers adry.

28 “It is I who says of aCyrus, ‘He is My shepherd!

And he will perform all My desire.’

And 1he declares of Jerusalem, ‘bShe will be built,’

And of the temple, ‘2Your foundation will be laid.’ ”

Chapter 45

God Uses Cyrus

1 Thus says the Lord to aCyrus His anointed,

Whom I have taken by the right bhand,

To csubdue nations before him

And 1to dloose the loins of kings;

To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

2 “I will go before you and amake the 1rough places smooth;

I will bshatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron cbars.

3 “I will give you the 1atreasures of darkness

And hidden wealth of secret places,

So that you may know that it is I,

The Lord, the God of Israel, who bcalls you by your name.

4 “For the sake of aJacob My servant,

And Israel My chosen one,

I have also bcalled you by your name;

I have given you a title of honor

Though you have cnot known Me.