Isa.43.1

But now, GOD's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine.

Isa.43.1

But now, this is what the LORD says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Isa.43.1

But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

Isa.43.1

But now, O Israel, the LORD who created you says: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

Isa.43.2

When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end--

Isa.43.2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isa.43.2

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isa.43.2

When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Isa.43.3

Because I am GOD, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!

Isa.43.3

For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.

Isa.43.3

For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

Isa.43.3

For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom.

Isa.43.4

That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you.

Isa.43.4

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.

Isa.43.4

Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.

Isa.43.4

Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you.

Isa.43.5

"So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west.

Isa.43.5

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.

Isa.43.5

Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west;

Isa.43.5

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west

Isa.43.6

I'll send orders north and south: "Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places.

Isa.43.6

I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

Isa.43.6

I will say to the north, "Give them up!' And to the south, "Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth--

Isa.43.6

and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth.

Isa.43.7

I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.'" [JC]

Isa.43.7

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made."

Isa.43.7

Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him."

Isa.43.7

All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them."

Isa.43.8

Get the blind and deaf out here and ready--the blind (though there's nothing wrong with their eyes) and the deaf (though there's nothing wrong with their ears).

Isa.43.8

Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

Isa.43.8

Bring out the blind people who have eyes, And the deaf who have ears.

Isa.43.8

Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.

Isa.43.9

Then get the other nations out here and ready. Let's see what they have to say about this, how they account for what's happened. Let them present their expert witnesses and make their case; let them try to convince us what they say is true.

Isa.43.9

All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of them foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

Isa.43.9

Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, "It is truth."

Isa.43.9

Gather the nations together! Which of their idols has ever foretold such things? Can any of them predict something even a single day in advance? Where are the witnesses of such predictions? Who can verify that they spoke the truth?

Isa.43.10

"But you are my witnesses." GOD's Decree. "You're my handpicked servant So that you'll come to know and trust me, understand both that I am and who I am. Previous to me there was no such thing as a god, nor will there be after me.

Isa.43.10

"You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.

Isa.43.10

"You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

Isa.43.10

"But you are my witnesses, O Israel!" says the LORD. "And you are my servant. You have been chosen to know me, believe in me, and understand that I alone am God. There is no other God; there never has been and never will be.

Isa.43.11

I, yes I, am GOD. I'm the only Savior there is.

Isa.43.11

I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.

Isa.43.11

I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior.

Isa.43.11

I am the LORD, and there is no other Savior.

Isa.43.12

I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene. And you know it, you're my witnesses, you're the evidence." GOD's Decree. "Yes, I am God.

Isa.43.12

I have revealed and saved and proclaimed- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

Isa.43.12

I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses," Says the LORD, "that I am God.

Isa.43.12

First I predicted your deliverance; I declared what I would do, and then I did it--I saved you. No foreign god has ever done this before. You are witnesses that I am the only God," says the LORD.

Isa.43.13

I've always been God and I always will be God. No one can take anything from me. I make; who can unmake it?"

Isa.43.13

Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

Isa.43.13

Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?"

Isa.43.13

"From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can oppose what I do. No one can reverse my actions."

Isa.43.14

GOD, your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel, says: "Just for you, I will march on Babylon. I'll turn the tables on the Babylonians. Instead of whooping it up, they'll be wailing.

Isa.43.14

This is what the LORD says- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.

Isa.43.14

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I will send to Babylon, And bring them all down as fugitives-- The Chaldeans, who rejoice in their ships.

Isa.43.14

The LORD your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: "For your sakes I will send an invading army against Babylon. And the Babylonians will be forced to flee in those ships they are so proud of.

Isa.43.15

I am GOD, your Holy One, Creator of Israel, your King."

Isa.43.15

I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King."

Isa.43.15

I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King."

Isa.43.15

I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator and King.

Isa.43.16

This is what GOD says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves,

Isa.43.16

This is what the LORD says- he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,

Isa.43.16

Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea And a path through the mighty waters,

Isa.43.16

I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea.

Isa.43.17

The God who summons horses and chariots and armies--they lie down and then can't get up; they're snuffed out like so many candles:

Isa.43.17

who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

Isa.43.17

Who brings forth the chariot and horse, The army and the power (They shall lie down together, they shall not rise; They are extinguished, they are quenched like a wick):

Isa.43.17

I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.

Isa.43.18

"Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.

Isa.43.18

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Isa.43.18

"Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.

Isa.43.18

"But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

Isa.43.19

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

Isa.43.19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isa.43.19

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

Isa.43.19

For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!

Isa.43.20

Wild animals will say "Thank you!' -the coyotes and the buzzards--Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun--baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose,

Isa.43.20

The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,

Isa.43.20

The beast of the field will honor Me, The jackals and the ostriches, Because I give waters in the wilderness And rivers in the desert, To give drink to My people, My chosen.

Isa.43.20

The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and ostriches, too, for giving them water in the wilderness. Yes, I will make springs in the desert, so that my chosen people can be refreshed.

Isa.43.21

the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.

Isa.43.21

the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Isa.43.21

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.

Isa.43.21

I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world.

Isa.43.22

"But you didn't pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob. You so quickly tired of me, Israel.

Isa.43.22

"Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, O Israel.

Isa.43.22

"But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me, O Israel.

Isa.43.22

"But, my dear people, you refuse to ask for my help. You have grown tired of me!

Isa.43.23

You wouldn't even bring sheep for offerings in worship. You couldn't be bothered with sacrifices. It wasn't that I asked that much from you. I didn't expect expensive presents.

Isa.43.23

You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.

Isa.43.23

You have not brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not caused you to serve with grain offerings, Nor wearied you with incense.

Isa.43.23

You have not brought me lambs for burnt offerings. You have not honored me with sacrifices, though I have not burdened and wearied you with my requests for grain offerings and incense.

Isa.43.24

But you didn't even do the minimum--so stingy with me, so closefisted. Yet you haven't been stingy with your sins. You've been plenty generous with them--and I'm fed up.

Isa.43.24

You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.

Isa.43.24

You have bought Me no sweet cane with money, Nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; But you have burdened Me with your sins, You have wearied Me with your iniquities.

Isa.43.24

You have not brought me fragrant incense or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices. Instead, you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your faults.

Isa.43.25

"But I, yes I, am the one who takes care of your sins--that's what I do. I don't keep a list of your sins.

Isa.43.25

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Isa.43.25

"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.

Isa.43.25

"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.

Isa.43.26

"So, make your case against me. Let's have this out. Make your arguments. Prove you're in the right.

Isa.43.26

Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.

Isa.43.26

Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.

Isa.43.26

Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case if you have one.

Isa.43.27

Your original ancestor started the sinning, and everyone since has joined in.

Isa.43.27

Your first father sinned; your spokesmen rebelled against me.

Isa.43.27

Your first father sinned, And your mediators have transgressed against Me.

Isa.43.27

From the very beginning, your ancestors sinned against me--all your leaders broke my laws.

Isa.43.28

That's why I had to disqualify the Temple leaders, repudiate Jacob and discredit Israel.

Isa.43.28

So I will disgrace the dignitaries of your temple, and I will consign Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.

Isa.43.28

Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary; I will give Jacob to the curse, And Israel to reproaches.

Isa.43.28

That is why I have disgraced your priests and assigned Israel a future of complete destruction and shame.

Isa.44.1

"But for now, dear servant Jacob, listen--yes, you, Israel, my personal choice.

Isa.44.1

"But now listen, O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.

Isa.44.1

"Yet hear me now, O Jacob My servant, And Israel whom I have chosen.

Isa.44.1

"But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one.

Isa.44.2

GOD who made you has something to say to you; the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you. Don't be afraid, dear servant Jacob, Jeshurun, the one I chose.

Isa.44.2

This is what the LORD says- he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Isa.44.2

Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you: "Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.

Isa.44.2

The LORD who made you and helps you says: O Jacob, my servant, do not be afraid. O Israel, my chosen one, do not fear.

Isa.44.3

For I will pour water on the thirsty ground and send streams coursing through the parched earth. I will pour my Spirit into your descendants and my blessing on your children.

Isa.44.3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Isa.44.3

For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;

Isa.44.3

For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst and to moisten your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children.

Isa.44.4

They shall sprout like grass on the prairie, like willows alongside creeks.

Isa.44.4

They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.

Isa.44.4

They will spring up among the grass Like willows by the watercourses.'

Isa.44.4

They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.

Isa.44.5

This one will say, "I am GOD's,' and another will go by the name Jacob; That one will write on his hand "GOD's property'--and be proud to be called Israel."

Isa.44.5

One will say, 'I belong to the LORD '; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel.

Isa.44.5

One will say, "I am the LORD's'; Another will call himself by the name of Jacob; Another will write with his hand, "The LORD's,' And name himself by the name of Israel.

Isa.44.5

Some will proudly claim, `I belong to the LORD.' Others will say, `I am a descendant of Jacob.' Some will write the LORD's name on their hands and will take the honored name of Israel as their own.

Isa.44.6

GOD, King of Israel, your Redeemer, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, says: "I'm first, I'm last, and everything in between. I'm the only God there is.

Isa.44.6

"This is what the LORD says- Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.

Isa.44.6

"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.

Isa.44.6

"This is what the LORD, Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty, says: I am the First and the Last; there is no other God.

Isa.44.7

Who compares with me? Speak up. See if you measure up. From the beginning, who else has always announced what's coming? So what is coming next? Anybody want to venture a try?

Isa.44.7

Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come- yes, let him foretell what will come.

Isa.44.7

And who can proclaim as I do? Then let him declare it and set it in order for Me, Since I appointed the ancient people. And the things that are coming and shall come, Let them show these to them.

Isa.44.7

Who else can tell you what is going to happen in the days ahead? Let them tell you if they can and thus prove their power. Let them do as I have done since ancient times.

Isa.44.8

Don't be afraid, and don't worry: Haven't I always kept you informed, told you what was going on? You're my eyewitnesses: Have you ever come across a God, a real God, other than me? There's no Rock like me that I know of."

Isa.44.8

Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."

Isa.44.8

Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared it? You are My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one."'

Isa.44.8

Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what my purposes are for you? You are my witnesses--is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock--not one!"

Isa.44.9

All those who make no-god idols don't amount to a thing, and what they work so hard at making is nothing. Their little puppet-gods see nothing and know nothing--they're total embarrassments!

Isa.44.9

All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.

Isa.44.9

Those who make an image, all of them are useless, And their precious things shall not profit; They are their own witnesses; They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.

Isa.44.9

How foolish are those who manufacture idols to be their gods. These highly valued objects are really worthless. They themselves are witnesses that this is so, for their idols neither see nor know. No wonder those who worship them are put to shame.

Isa.44.10

Who would bother making gods that can't do anything, that can't "god"?

Isa.44.10

Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?

Isa.44.10

Who would form a god or mold an image That profits him nothing?

Isa.44.10

Who but a fool would make his own god--an idol that cannot help him one bit!

Isa.44.11

Watch all the no-god worshipers hide their faces in shame. Watch the no-god makers slink off humiliated when their idols fail them. Get them out here in the open. Make them face God-reality.

Isa.44.11

He and his kind will be put to shame; craftsmen are nothing but men. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and infamy.

Isa.44.11

Surely all his companions would be ashamed; And the workmen, they are mere men. Let them all be gathered together, Let them stand up; Yet they shall fear, They shall be ashamed together.

Isa.44.11

All who worship idols will stand before the LORD in shame, along with all these craftsmen--mere humans--who claim they can make a god. Together they will stand in terror and shame.

Isa.44.12

The blacksmith makes his no-god, works it over in his forge, hammering it on his anvil--such hard work! He works away, fatigued with hunger and thirst.

Isa.44.12

The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.

Isa.44.12

The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals, Fashions it with hammers, And works it with the strength of his arms. Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint.

Isa.44.12

The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, pounding and shaping it with all his might. His work makes him hungry and thirsty, weak and faint.

Isa.44.13

The woodworker draws up plans for his no-god, traces it on a block of wood. He shapes it with chisels and planes into human shape--a beautiful woman, a handsome man, ready to be placed in a chapel.

Isa.44.13

The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in the form of man, of man in all his glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.

Isa.44.13

The craftsman stretches out his rule, He marks one out with chalk; He fashions it with a plane, He marks it out with the compass, And makes it like the figure of a man, According to the beauty of a man, that it may remain in the house.

Isa.44.13

Then the wood-carver measures and marks out a block of wood, takes the tool, and carves the figure of a man. Now he has a wonderful idol that cannot even move from where it is placed!

Isa.44.14

He first cuts down a cedar, or maybe picks out a pine or oak, and lets it grow strong in the forest, nourished by the rain.

Isa.44.14

He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

Isa.44.14

He cuts down cedars for himself, And takes the cypress and the oak; He secures it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a pine, and the rain nourishes it.

Isa.44.14

He cuts down cedars; he selects the cypress and the oak; he plants the cedar in the forest to be nourished by the rain.

Isa.44.15

Then it can serve a double purpose: Part he uses as firewood for keeping warm and baking bread; from the other part he makes a god that he worships--carves it into a god shape and prays before it.

Isa.44.15

It is man's fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Isa.44.15

Then it shall be for a man to burn, For he will take some of it and warm himself; Yes, he kindles it and bakes bread; Indeed he makes a god and worships it; He makes it a carved image, and falls down to it.

Isa.44.15

And after his care, he uses part of the wood to make a fire to warm himself and bake his bread. Then--yes, it's true--he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god for people to worship! He makes an idol and bows down and praises it!

Isa.44.16

With half he makes a fire to warm himself and barbecue his supper. He eats his fill and sits back satisfied with his stomach full and his feet warmed by the fire: "Ah, this is the life."

Isa.44.16

Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm; I see the fire."

Isa.44.16

He burns half of it in the fire; With this half he eats meat; He roasts a roast, and is satisfied. He even warms himself and says, "Ah! I am warm, I have seen the fire."

Isa.44.16

He burns part of the tree to roast his meat and to keep himself warm.

Isa.44.17

And he still has half left for a god, made to his personal design--a handy, convenient no-god to worship whenever so inclined. Whenever the need strikes him he prays to it, "Save me. You're my god."

Isa.44.17

From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, "Save me; you are my god."

Isa.44.17

And the rest of it he makes into a god, His carved image. He falls down before it and worships it, Prays to it and says, "Deliver me, for you are my god!"

Isa.44.17

Then he takes what's left and makes his god: a carved idol! He falls down in front of it, worshiping and praying to it. "Rescue me!" he says. "You are my god!"

Isa.44.18

Pretty stupid, wouldn't you say? Don't they have eyes in their heads? Are their brains working at all?

Isa.44.18

They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

Isa.44.18

They do not know nor understand; For He has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, And their hearts, so that they cannot understand.

Isa.44.18

Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.

Isa.44.19

Doesn't it occur to them to say, "Half of this tree I used for firewood: I baked bread, roasted meat, and enjoyed a good meal. And now I've used the rest to make an abominable no-god. Here I am praying to a stick of wood!"

Isa.44.19

No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"

Isa.44.19

And no one considers in his heart, Nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say, "I have burned half of it in the fire, Yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it; And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?"

Isa.44.19

The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, "Why, it's just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a chunk of wood?"

Isa.44.20

This lover of emptiness, of nothing, is so out of touch with reality, so far gone, that he can't even look at what he's doing, can't even look at the no-god stick of wood in his hand and say, "This is crazy." [JC]

Isa.44.20

He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"

Isa.44.20

He feeds on ashes; A deceived heart has turned him aside; And he cannot deliver his soul, Nor say, "Is there not a lie in my right hand?"

Isa.44.20

The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. He is trusting something that can give him no help at all. Yet he cannot bring himself to ask, "Is this thing, this idol that I'm holding in my hand, a lie?"

Isa.44.21

"Remember these things, O Jacob. Take it seriously, Israel, that you're my servant. I made you, shaped you: You're my servant. O Israel, I'll never forget you.

Isa.44.21

"Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you.

Isa.44.21

"Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!

Isa.44.21

"Pay attention, O Israel, for you are my servant. I, the LORD, made you, and I will not forget to help you.

Isa.44.22

I've wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings. There's nothing left of your sins. Come back to me, come back. I've redeemed you."

Isa.44.22

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

Isa.44.22

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."

Isa.44.22

I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free."

Isa.44.23

High heavens, sing! GOD has done it. Deep earth, shout! And you mountains, sing! A forest choir of oaks and pines and cedars! GOD has redeemed Jacob. GOD's glory is on display in Israel.

Isa.44.23

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.

Isa.44.23

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth; Break forth into singing, you mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel.

Isa.44.23

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done this wondrous thing. Shout, O earth! Break forth into song, O mountains and forests and every tree! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel.