Isaiah 45:1-13

1This is what the Lord says about Cyrus, his  anointed one: I have held him by his right hand so he could conquer the nations ahead of him, strip kings of their power, and open doors ahead of him so that the gates would not be shut.

2I will go ahead of you, Cyrus, and smooth out the rough places. I will break down the bronze doors and cut through the iron bars.

3I will give you treasures from dark places and hidden stockpiles. Then you will know that I, the Lord God of Israel, have called you by name.

4For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by name. I have given you a title of honor, although you don’t know me.

5I am the Lord, and there is no other. There is no other God besides me. I will strengthen you, although you don’t know me,

6so that from the east to the west people will know that there is no God except me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.

7I make light and create darkness. I make blessings and create disasters. I, the Lord, do all these things.

8Rain down from above, you heavens, and pour down righteousness, you skies. Let the earth open. Let salvation and righteousness sprout. Let them spring up. I, the Lord, have created them.

9How horrible it will be for the one who quarrels with his maker. He is pottery among other earthenware pots. Does the clay ask the one who shapes it, “What are you making?” Does your work say to you, “There are no handles”?

10How horrible it will be for the one who says to his father, “Why did you conceive me?” or to his mother, “Why did you go through labor pains for me?”

11The Lord is the Holy One and the maker of Israel. This is what the Lord says: Ask me about what is going to happen to my children! Are you going to give me orders concerning my handiwork?

12I made the earth and created humans on it. I stretched out the heavens with my own hands. I commanded all the stars ⌞to shine⌟.

13I prepared Cyrus for my righteous purpose. I will make all his roads straight. He will build my city and let my exiles go free without any payment or any reward, says the Lord of Armies.