12-13 “Listen, Jacob. Listen, Israel—
    I’m the One who named you!
I’m the One.
    I got things started and, yes, I’ll wrap them up.
Earth is my work, handmade.
    And the skies—I made them, too, horizon to horizon.
When I speak, they’re on their feet, at attention.

14-16 “Come everybody, gather around, listen:
    Who among the gods has delivered the news?
I, God, love this man Cyrus, and I’m using him
    to do what I want with Babylon.
I, yes I, have spoken. I’ve called him.
    I’ve brought him here. He’ll be successful.
Come close, listen carefully:
    I’ve never kept secrets from you.
    I’ve always been present with you.”

Your Progeny, Like Grains of Sand

16-19 And now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit
    with this Message from God
    your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel:
“I am God, your God,
    who teaches you how to live right and well.
    I show you what to do, where to go.
If you had listened all along to what I told you,
    your life would have flowed full like a river,
    blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.
Children and grandchildren are like sand,
    your progeny like grains of sand.
There would be no end of them,
    no danger of losing touch with me.”

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13 My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,(A)
    and my right hand spread out the heavens;(B)
when I summon them,
    they all stand up together.(C)

14 “Come together,(D) all of you, and listen:
    Which of the idols has foretold(E) these things?
The Lord’s chosen ally(F)
    will carry out his purpose(G) against Babylon;(H)
    his arm will be against the Babylonians.[a]
15 I, even I, have spoken;
    yes, I have called(I) him.
I will bring him,
    and he will succeed(J) in his mission.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 48:14 Or Chaldeans; also in verse 20