The Lord Gives a Warning

45:9 One who argues with his creator is in grave danger,21

one who is like a mere22 shard among the other shards on the ground!

The clay should not say to the potter,23

“What in the world24 are you doing?

Your work lacks skill!”25

45:10 Danger awaits one who says26 to his father,

“What in the world27 are you fathering?”

and to his mother,

“What in the world are you bringing forth?”28

45:11 This is what the Lord says,

the Holy One of Israel,29 the one who formed him,

concerning things to come:30

“How dare you question me31 about my children!

How dare you tell me what to do with32 the work of my own hands!

45:12 I made the earth,

I created the people who live33 on it.

It was me—my hands34 stretched out the sky,35

I give orders to all the heavenly lights.36

45:13 It is me—I stir him up and commission him;37

I will make all his ways level.

He will rebuild my city;

he will send my exiled people home,

but not for a price or a bribe,”

says the Lord who commands armies.