Study Desk

He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.He bows down to it and worships;he prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.”

No one comes to his senses;no one has the perception or insight to say,“I burned half of it in the fire,I also baked bread on its coals,I roasted meat and ate.Should I make something detestable with the rest of it?Should I bow down to a block of wood?”

who confirms the message of his servantand fulfills the counsel of his messengers;who says to Jerusalem, “She will be inhabited,”and to the cities of Judah, “They will be rebuilt,”and I will restore her ruins;

The Lord says this to Cyrus, his anointed,

“Woe to the one who argues with his Maker—one clay pot among many.Does clay say to the one forming it,‘What are you making?’ Or does your work say,‘He has no hands’?

Woe to the one who says to his father,‘What are you fathering?’or to his mother,‘What are you giving birth to?’”

They lift it to their shoulder and bear it along;they set it in its place, and there it stands;it does not budge from its place.They cry out to it but it doesn’t answer;it saves no one from his trouble.

The Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer;The Lord of Armies is his name.

This is what they are to you—those who have wearied youand have traded with you from your youth—each wanders on his own way;no one can save you.

For they are named after the Holy City,and lean on the God of Israel;his name is the Lord of Armies.

All of you, assemble and listen!Who among the idols has declared these things?The Lord loves him;he will accomplish his will against Babylon,and his arm will be against the Chaldeans.

I—I have spoken;yes, I have called him;I have brought him,and he will succeed in his mission.

Approach me and listen to this.From the beginning I have not spoken in secret;from the time anything existed, I was there.”And now the Lord Godhas sent me and his Spirit.

Leave Babylon,flee from the Chaldeans!Declare with a shout of joy,proclaim this,let it go out to the end of the earth;announce,“The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!”

He made my words like a sharp sword;he hid me in the shadow of his hand.He made me like a sharpened arrow;he hid me in his quiver.

And now, says the Lord,who formed me from the womb to be his servant,to bring Jacob back to himso that Israel might be gathered to him;for I am honored in the sight of the Lord,and my God is my strength—

This is what the Lord,the Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, saysto one who is despised,to one abhorred by people,to a servant of rulers:“Kings will see, princes will stand up,and they will all bow downbecause of the Lord, who is faithful,the Holy One of Israel—and he has chosen you.”

Shout for joy, you heavens!Earth, rejoice!Mountains break into joyful shouts!For the Lord has comforted his people,and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Who among you fears the Lordand listens to his servant?Who among you walks in darkness,and has no light?Let him trust in the name of the Lord;let him lean on his God.

The prisoner is soon to be set free;he will not die and go to the Pit,and his food will not be lacking.