Isaiah 41:2-8

2Who has stirred up and put into action one from the east [the king of Persia, Cyrus the Great] Whom He calls in righteousness to His service and whom victory meets at every step? The Lord turns nations over to him And subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, Like wind-driven chaff with his bow.

3He (Cyrus) pursues them and passes along safely, By a way his feet had not traveled before.

4Who has performed and done this, Calling forth [and guiding the destinies of] the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? ‘I, the Lord—the first, and with the last [existing before history began, the ever-present, unchanging God]—I am He.’ ”

5The islands and coastlands have seen and they fear; The ends of the earth tremble; They have drawn near and have come.

6They each help his neighbor And say to his brother [as he fashions his idols], “Be of good courage!”

7So the craftsman encourages the goldsmith, And he who smooths metal with the smith’s hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering (welding), “That is good”; And he fastens the idol with nails, So that it will not totter nor be moved.

8“But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The offspring of Abraham My friend,