Study Desk

There is a little of the wood left, so he makes a statue and calls it his god. He bows down before it and worships it. He prays to it and says, "You are my god, save me!"

Skies, rejoice for what the Lord has done. Earth, shout for joy down to your deepest parts! Start singing, you mountains and all you trees in the forest! Yes, the Lord has saved Jacob. He has shown his glory by rescuing Israel.

The Lord sends his servants to tell his messages to the people, and he makes those messages come true. He sends messengers to tell the people what they should do, and he proves that the advice is good. The Lord says to Jerusalem, "People will live in you again." He says to the cities of Judah, "You will be rebuilt." He says to them, "I will repair your ruins."

This is what the Lord said to Cyrus, his chosen king: "I took you by your right hand to help you defeat nations, to strip other kings of their power, and to open city gates that will not be closed again.

A father gives life to his children, and they cannot ask, ‘Why are you giving me life?' They cannot question their mother and ask, ‘Why are you giving birth to me?'"

I was right to give power to Cyrus, and I will make his work easy. He will rebuild my city, and he will set my people free without bribes or payment." The Lord All-Powerful said this.

"My people say, ‘God saves us. His name is the Lord All-Powerful, the Holy One of Israel.'"

"Yes, you call yourselves citizens of the holy city, those who depend on the God of Israel. The Lord All-Powerful is his name.

Come here and listen to me! I was there when Babylon began as a nation. And from the beginning, I spoke clearly so that people could know what I said." Now, the Lord God sends me and his Spirit to tell you these things.

My people, leave Babylon! My people, run from the Chaldeans! Tell the news with joy. Spread the news around the world. Tell them, "The Lord rescued his servant Jacob."

He used me to speak for him. He used me like a sharp sword, but he also held me in his hand to protect me. He used me like a sharp arrow, but he also kept me safe in his arrow bag.

The Lord is the one who made me in my mother's womb, so that I could be his servant. He wanted me to lead Jacob and Israel back to him. The Lord gives me honor. I get my strength from my God.

The Lord , the Holy Protector of Israel, speaks to his servant. People hate that servant. Nations despise him. He is now a slave to rulers. The Lord says to him, "Kings will see you and stand to honor you. Great leaders will bow down to you." This will happen for the Lord . The Holy One of Israel is the one who chose you, and he can be trusted.

Heavens and earth, be happy! Mountains, shout with joy! The Lord comforts his people. He is good to his poor people.

People who respect the Lord also listen to his servant. That servant lives completely trusting in God without knowing what will happen. He really trusts in the Lord 's name and depends on his God.

The Lord will save his people. They will return to Zion with joy. They will be very happy. Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads forever. They will be singing with joy. All sadness will be gone far away.

"I am the Lord your God, the one who stirs up the sea and makes the waves roar." The Lord All-Powerful is his name.

Your God is the one who fights for his people. He is your Lord God , and he says to you, "Look, I am taking this ‘cup of poison' away from you. It is full of my anger, and I am taking it out of your hand. You will not be punished by my anger again.

Ruins of Jerusalem, be happy again! Rejoice because the Lord comforted his people and set Jerusalem free.

The Lord showed his holy strength to all the nations. All the faraway countries saw how God saved his people.