Isa.44.24

GOD, your Redeemer, who shaped your life in your mother's womb, says: "I am GOD. I made all that is. With no help from you I spread out the skies and laid out the earth."

Isa.44.24

"This is what the LORD says- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,

Isa.44.24

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;

Isa.44.24

The LORD, your Redeemer and Creator, says: "I am the LORD, who made all things. I alone stretched out the heavens. By myself I made the earth and everything in it.

Isa.44.25

He makes the magicians look ridiculous and turns fortunetellers into jokes. He makes the experts look trivial and their latest knowledge look silly.

Isa.44.25

who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,

Isa.44.25

Who frustrates the signs of the babblers, And drives diviners mad; Who turns wise men backward, And makes their knowledge foolishness;

Isa.44.25

I am the one who exposes the false prophets as liars by causing events to happen that are contrary to their predictions. I cause wise people to give bad advice, thus proving them to be fools.

Isa.44.26

But he backs the word of his servant and confirms the counsel of his messengers. He says to Jerusalem, "Be inhabited," and to the cities of Judah, "Be rebuilt," and to the ruins, "I raise you up."

Isa.44.26

who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited,' of the towns of Judah, 'They shall be built,' and of their ruins, 'I will restore them,'

Isa.44.26

Who confirms the word of His servant, And performs the counsel of His messengers; Who says to Jerusalem, "You shall be inhabited,' To the cities of Judah, "You shall be built,' And I will raise up her waste places;

Isa.44.26

But I carry out the predictions of my prophets! When they say Jerusalem will be saved and the towns of Judah will be lived in once again, it will be done!

Isa.44.27

He says to Ocean, "Dry up. I'm drying up your rivers."

Isa.44.27

who says to the watery deep, 'Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,'

Isa.44.27

Who says to the deep, "Be dry! And I will dry up your rivers';

Isa.44.27

When I speak to the rivers and say, `Be dry!' they will be dry.

Isa.44.28

He says to Cyrus, "My shepherd--everything I want, you'll do it." He says to Jerusalem, "Be built," and to the Temple, "Be established."

Isa.44.28

who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, "Let it be rebuilt," and of the temple, "Let its foundations be laid."'

Isa.44.28

Who says of Cyrus, "He is My shepherd, And he shall perform all My pleasure, Saying to Jerusalem, "You shall be built," And to the temple, "Your foundation shall be laid."'

Isa.44.28

When I say of Cyrus, `He is my shepherd,' he will certainly do as I say. He will command that Jerusalem be rebuilt and that the Temple be restored."

Isa.45.1

GOD's Message to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he took by the hand To give the task of taming the nations, of terrifying their kings--He gave him free rein, no restrictions:

Isa.45.1

"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor, to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:

Isa.45.1

"Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus, whose right hand I have held-- To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut:

Isa.45.1

This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never again to shut against him.

Isa.45.2

"I'll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I'll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances.

Isa.45.2

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

Isa.45.2

"I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.

Isa.45.2

This is what the LORD says: "I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

Isa.45.3

I'll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables--Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, GOD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

Isa.45.3

I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Isa.45.3

I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.

Isa.45.3

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

Isa.45.4

It's because of my dear servant Jacob, Israel my chosen, That I've singled you out, called you by name, and given you this privileged work. And you don't even know me!

Isa.45.4

For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me.

Isa.45.4

For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

Isa.45.4

"And why have I called you for this work? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I called you by name when you did not know me.

Isa.45.5

I am GOD, the only God there is. Besides me there are no real gods. I'm the one who armed you for this work, though you don't even know me,

Isa.45.5

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,

Isa.45.5

I am the LORD, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me,

Isa.45.5

I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have prepared you, even though you do not know me,

Isa.45.6

So that everyone, from east to west, will know that I have no god-rivals. I am GOD, the only God there is.

Isa.45.6

so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isa.45.6

That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other;

Isa.45.6

so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isa.45.7

I form light and create darkness, I make harmonies and create discords. I, GOD, do all these things.

Isa.45.7

I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.

Isa.45.7

I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.'

Isa.45.7

I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things.

Isa.45.8

"Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, GOD, generate all this.

Isa.45.8

"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Isa.45.8

"Rain down, you heavens, from above, And let the skies pour down righteousness; Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation, And let righteousness spring up together. I, the LORD, have created it.

Isa.45.8

Open up, O heavens, and pour out your righteousness. Let the earth open wide so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together. I, the LORD, created them.

Isa.45.9

But doom to you who fight your Maker--you're a pot at odds with the potter! Does clay talk back to the potter: "What are you doing? What clumsy fingers!'

Isa.45.9

"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?

Isa.45.9

"Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, "What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, "He has no hands'?

Isa.45.9

"Destruction is certain for those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot ever argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, `Stop, you are doing it wrong!' Does the pot exclaim, `How clumsy can you be!'

Isa.45.10

Would a sperm say to a father, "Who gave you permission to use me to make a baby?' Or a fetus to a mother, "Why have you cooped me up in this belly?'"

Isa.45.10

Woe to him who says to his father, 'What have you begotten?' or to his mother, 'What have you brought to birth?'

Isa.45.10

Woe to him who says to his father, "What are you begetting?' Or to the woman, "What have you brought forth?"'

Isa.45.10

How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father and mother, `Why was I born? Why did you make me this way?'"

Isa.45.11

Thus GOD, The Holy of Israel, Israel's Maker, says: "Do you question who or what I'm making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?

Isa.45.11

"This is what the LORD says- the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands?

Isa.45.11

Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.

Isa.45.11

This is what the LORD, the Creator and Holy One of Israel, says: "Do you question what I do? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?

Isa.45.12

I made earth, and I created man and woman to live on it. I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings.

Isa.45.12

It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.

Isa.45.12

I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands--stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.

Isa.45.12

I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the millions of stars are at my command.

Isa.45.13

And now I've got Cyrus on the move. I've rolled out the red carpet before him. He will build my city. He will bring home my exiles. I didn't hire him to do this. I told him. I, GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies." [JC]

Isa.45.13

I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty."

Isa.45.13

I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward," Says the LORD of hosts.

Isa.45.13

I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide all his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people--and not for a reward! I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!"

Isa.45.14

GOD says: "The workers of Egypt, the merchants of Ethiopia, and those statuesque Sabeans Will all come over to you--all yours. Docile in chains, they'll follow you, Hands folded in reverence, praying before you: "Amazing! God is with you! There is no other God--none.'"

Isa.45.14

This is what the LORD says: "The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and those tall Sabeans- they will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you, saying, 'Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.'"

Isa.45.14

Thus says the LORD: "The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, "Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God."'

Isa.45.14

This is what the LORD says: "The Egyptians, Ethiopians, and Sabeans will be subject to you. They will come to you with all their merchandise, and it will all be yours. They will follow you as prisoners in chains. They will fall to their knees in front of you and say, `God is with you, and he is the only God.'"

Isa.45.15

Clearly, you are a God who works behind the scenes, God of Israel, Savior God.

Isa.45.15

Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God and Savior of Israel.

Isa.45.15

Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior!

Isa.45.15

Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in strange and mysterious ways.

Isa.45.16

Humiliated, all those others will be ashamed to show their faces in public. Out of work and at loose ends, the makers of no-god idols won't know what to do with themselves.

Isa.45.16

All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; they will go off into disgrace together.

Isa.45.16

They shall be ashamed And also disgraced, all of them; They shall go in confusion together, Who are makers of idols.

Isa.45.16

All who make idols will be humiliated and disgraced.

Isa.45.17

The people of Israel, though, are saved by you, GOD, saved with an eternal salvation. They won't be ashamed, they won't be at loose ends, ever.

Isa.45.17

But Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.

Isa.45.17

But Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation; You shall not be ashamed or disgraced Forever and ever.

Isa.45.17

But the LORD will save the people of Israel with eternal salvation. They will never again be humiliated and disgraced throughout everlasting ages.

Isa.45.18

GOD, Creator of the heavens--he is, remember, God. Maker of earth--he put it on its foundations, built it from scratch. He didn't go to all that trouble to just leave it empty, nothing in it. He made it to be lived in. This GOD says: "I am GOD, the one and only.

Isa.45.18

For this is what the LORD says- he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited- he says: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isa.45.18

For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Isa.45.18

For the LORD is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. "I am the LORD," he says, "and there is no other.

Isa.45.19

I don't just talk to myself or mumble under my breath. I never told Jacob, "Seek me in emptiness, in dark nothingness.' I am GOD. I work out in the open, saying what's right, setting things right.

Isa.45.19

I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right.

Isa.45.19

I have not spoken in secret, In a dark place of the earth; I did not say to the seed of Jacob, "Seek Me in vain'; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Isa.45.19

I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean. And I did not tell the people of Israel to ask me for something I did not plan to give. I, the LORD, speak only what is true and right.

Isa.45.20

So gather around, come on in, all you refugees and castoffs. They don't seem to know much, do they--those who carry around their no-god blocks of wood, praying for help to a dead stick?

Isa.45.20

"Gather together and come; assemble, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry about idols of wood, who pray to gods that cannot save.

Isa.45.20

"Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save.

Isa.45.20

"Gather together and come, you fugitives from surrounding nations. What fools they are who carry around their wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save!

Isa.45.21

So tell me what you think. Look at the evidence. Put your heads together. Make your case. Who told you, and a long time ago, what's going on here? Who made sense of things for you? Wasn't I the one? GOD? It had to be me. I'm the only God there is--The only God who does things right and knows how to help.

Isa.45.21

Declare what is to be, present it- let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.

Isa.45.21

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me.

Isa.45.21

Consult together, argue your case, and state your proofs that idol worship pays. Who made these things known long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me--a just God and a Savior--no, not one!

Isa.45.22

So turn to me and be helped--saved!- everyone, whoever and wherever you are. I am GOD, the only God there is, the one and only.

Isa.45.22

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.

Isa.45.22

"Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Isa.45.22

Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.

Isa.45.23

I promise in my own name: Every word out of my mouth does what it says. I never take back what I say. Everyone is going to end up kneeling before me. Everyone is going to end up saying of me,

Isa.45.23

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.

Isa.45.23

I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.

Isa.45.23

I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name."

Isa.45.24

"Yes! Salvation and strength are in GOD!'" All who have raged against him will be brought before him, disgraced by their unbelief.

Isa.45.24

They will say of me, 'In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.'" All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.

Isa.45.24

He shall say, "Surely in the LORD I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him.

Isa.45.24

The people will declare, "The LORD is the source of all my righteousness and strength." And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.

Isa.45.25

And all who are connected with Israel will have a robust, praising, good life in GOD!

Isa.45.25

But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.

Isa.45.25

In the LORD all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory."'

Isa.45.25

In the LORD all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in him they will boast.

Isa.46.1

The god Bel falls down, god Nebo slumps. The no-god hunks of wood are loaded on mules And have to be hauled off, wearing out the poor mules--

Isa.46.1

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary.

Isa.46.1

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops; Their idols were on the beasts and on the cattle. Your carriages were heavily loaded, A burden to the weary beast.

Isa.46.1

The idols of Babylon, Bel and Nebo, are being hauled away on ox carts. But look! The beasts are staggering under the weight!

Isa.46.2

Dead weight, burdens who can't bear burdens, hauled off to captivity.

Isa.46.2

They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.

Isa.46.2

They stoop, they bow down together; They could not deliver the burden, But have themselves gone into captivity.

Isa.46.2

Both the idols and the ones carrying them are bowed down. The gods cannot protect the people, and the people cannot protect the gods. They go off into captivity together.

Isa.46.3

"Listen to me, family of Jacob, everyone that's left of the family of Israel. I've been carrying you on my back from the day you were born,

Isa.46.3

"Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth.

Isa.46.3

"Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, And all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb:

Isa.46.3

"Listen to me, all you who are left in Israel. I created you and have cared for you since before you were born.

Isa.46.4

And I'll keep on carrying you when you're old. I'll be there, bearing you when you're old and gray. I've done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.

Isa.46.4

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isa.46.4

Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isa.46.4

I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.

Isa.46.5

"So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable? Can you picture me without reducing me?

Isa.46.5

"To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

Isa.46.5

"To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we should be alike?

Isa.46.5

"To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?

Isa.46.6

People with a lot of money hire craftsmen to make them gods. The artisan delivers the god, and they kneel and worship it!

Isa.46.6

Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it.

Isa.46.6

They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver on the scales; They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship.

Isa.46.6

Some people pour out their silver and gold and hire a craftsman to make a god from it. Then they bow down and worship it!

Isa.46.7

They carry it around in holy parades, then take it home and put it on a shelf. And there it sits, day in and day out, a dependable god, always right where you put it. Say anything you want to it, it never talks back. Of course, it never does anything either!

Isa.46.7

They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Though one cries out to it, it does not answer; it cannot save him from his troubles.

Isa.46.7

They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble.

Isa.46.7

They carry it around on their shoulders, and when they set it down, it stays there. It cannot even move! And when someone prays to it, there is no answer. It has no power to get anyone out of trouble.

Isa.46.8

"Think about this. Wrap your minds around it. This is serious business, rebels. Take it to heart.

Isa.46.8

"Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.

Isa.46.8

"Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors.

Isa.46.8

"Do not forget this, you guilty ones.

Isa.46.9

Remember your history, your long and rich history. I am GOD, the only God you've had or ever will have--incomparable, irreplaceable--

Isa.46.9

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

Isa.46.9

Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

Isa.46.9

And do not forget the things I have done throughout history. For I am God--I alone! I am God, and there is no one else like me.

Isa.46.10

From the very beginning telling you what the ending will be, All along letting you in on what is going to happen, Assuring you, "I'm in this for the long haul, I'll do exactly what I set out to do,'

Isa.46.10

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

Isa.46.10

Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, "My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'

Isa.46.10

Only I can tell you what is going to happen even before it happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

Isa.46.11

Calling that eagle, Cyrus, out of the east, from a far country the man I chose to help me. I've said it, and I'll most certainly do it. I've planned it, so it's as good as done.

Isa.46.11

From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

Isa.46.11

Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.

Isa.46.11

I will call a swift bird of prey from the east--a leader from a distant land who will come and do my bidding. I have said I would do it, and I will.

Isa.46.12

"Now listen to me: You're a hardheaded bunch and hard to help.

Isa.46.12

Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness.

Isa.46.12

"Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness:

Isa.46.12

Listen to me, you stubborn, evil people!

Isa.46.13

I'm ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn't on hold. I'm putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel.

Isa.46.13

I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.

Isa.46.13

I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

Isa.46.13

For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now! I am ready to save Jerusalem and give my glory to Israel.

Gal.4.21

Tell me now, you who have become so enamored with the law: Have you paid close attention to that law?

Gal.4.21

Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?

Gal.4.21

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?

Gal.4.21

Listen to me, you who want to live under the law. Do you know what the law really says?

Gal.4.22

Abraham, remember, had two sons: one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.

Gal.4.22

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

Gal.4.22

For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

Gal.4.22

The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave-wife and one from his freeborn wife.

Gal.4.23

The son of the slave woman was born by human connivance; the son of the free woman was born by God's promise.

Gal.4.23

His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

Gal.4.23

But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise,

Gal.4.23

The son of the slave-wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God's promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God's own fulfillment of his promise.

Gal.4.24

This illustrates the very thing we are dealing with now. The two births represent two ways of being in relationship with God. One is from Mount Sinai in Arabia.

Gal.4.24

These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.

Gal.4.24

which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar--

Gal.4.24

Now these two women serve as an illustration of God's two covenants. Hagar, the slave-wife, represents Mount Sinai where people first became enslaved to the law.

Gal.4.25

It corresponds with what is now going on in Jerusalem--a slave life, producing slaves as offspring. This is the way of Hagar.

Gal.4.25

Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

Gal.4.25

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children--

Gal.4.25

And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery.

Gal.4.26

In contrast to that, there is an invisible Jerusalem, a free Jerusalem, and she is our mother--this is the way of Sarah.

Gal.4.26

But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

Gal.4.26

but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Gal.4.26

But Sarah, the free woman, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. And she is our mother.

Gal.4.27

Remember what Isaiah wrote: Rejoice, barren woman who bears no children, shout and cry out, woman who has no birth pangs, Because the children of the barren woman now surpass the children of the chosen woman.

Gal.4.27

For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."

Gal.4.27

For it is written: "Rejoice, O barren, You who do not bear! Break forth and shout, You who are not in labor! For the desolate has many more children Than she who has a husband."

Gal.4.27

That is what Isaiah meant when he prophesied, "Rejoice, O childless woman! Break forth into loud and joyful song, even though you never gave birth to a child. For the woman who could bear no children now has more than all the other women!"

Gal.4.28

Isn't it clear, friends, that you, like Isaac, are children of promise?

Gal.4.28

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

Gal.4.28

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

Gal.4.28

And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac.

Gal.4.29

In the days of Hagar and Sarah, the child who came from faithless connivance (Ishmael) harassed the child who came--empowered by the Spirit--from the faithful promise (Isaac). Isn't it clear that the harassment you are now experiencing from the Jerusalem heretics follows that old pattern?

Gal.4.29

At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

Gal.4.29

But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.

Gal.4.29

And we who are born of the Holy Spirit are persecuted by those who want us to keep the law, just as Isaac, the child of promise, was persecuted by Ishmael, the son of the slave-wife.

Gal.4.30

There is a Scripture that tells us what to do: "Expel the slave mother with her son, for the slave son will not inherit with the free son."

Gal.4.30

But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."

Gal.4.30

Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman."

Gal.4.30

But what do the Scriptures say about that? "Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the family inheritance with the free woman's son."

Gal.4.31

Isn't that conclusive? We are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Gal.4.31

Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Gal.4.31

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

Gal.4.31

So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, obligated to the law. We are children of the free woman, acceptable to God because of our faith.

Gal.5.1

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

Gal.5.1

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Gal.5.1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Gal.5.1

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Gal.5.2

I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ's hard-won gift of freedom is squandered.

Gal.5.2

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.

Gal.5.2

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.

Gal.5.2

Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ cannot help you.

Gal.5.3

I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.

Gal.5.3

Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

Gal.5.3

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.

Gal.5.3

I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey all of the regulations in the whole law of Moses.

Gal.5.4

I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.

Gal.5.4

You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Gal.5.4

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Gal.5.4

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.

Gal.5.5

Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit.

Gal.5.5

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

Gal.5.5

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal.5.5

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith.

Gal.5.6

For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.

Gal.5.6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Gal.5.6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Gal.5.6

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

Ps.108.6

And for the sake of the one you love so much, reach down and help me--answer me!

Ps.108.6

Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

Ps.108.6

That Your beloved may be delivered, Save with Your right hand, and hear me.

Ps.108.6

Use your strong right arm to save me, and rescue your beloved people.

Ps.108.7

That's when God spoke in holy splendor: "Brimming over with joy, I make a present of Shechem, I hand out Succoth Valley as a gift.

Ps.108.7

God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth.

Ps.108.7

God has spoken in His holiness: "I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem And measure out the Valley of Succoth.

Ps.108.7

God has promised this by his holiness: "I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth.

Ps.108.8

Gilead's in my pocket, to say nothing of Manasseh. Ephraim's my hard hat, Judah my hammer.

Ps.108.8

Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.

Ps.108.8

Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver.

Ps.108.8

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim will produce my warriors, and Judah will produce my kings.

Ps.108.9

Moab's a scrub bucket--I mop the floor with Moab, Spit on Edom, rain fireworks all over Philistia."

Ps.108.9

Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

Ps.108.9

Moab is My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Over Philistia I will triumph."

Ps.108.9

Moab will become my lowly servant, and Edom will be my slave. I will shout in triumph over the Philistines."

Ps.108.10

Who will take me to the thick of the fight? Who'll show me the road to Edom?

Ps.108.10

Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Ps.108.10

Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Ps.108.10

But who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?

Ps.108.11

You aren't giving up on us, are you, God? refusing to go out with our troops?

Ps.108.11

Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

Ps.108.11

Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?

Ps.108.11

Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?

Ps.108.12

Give us help for the hard task; human help is worthless.

Ps.108.12

Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

Ps.108.12

Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless.

Ps.108.12

Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.

Ps.108.13

In God we'll do our very best; he'll flatten the opposition for good. A David prayer

Ps.108.13

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Ps.108.13

Through God we will do valiantly, For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Ps.108.13

With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.