7. I create light and darkness,happiness and sorrow.I, the Lord, do all of this.
8. Tell the heavensto send down justicelike showers of rain.Prepare the earthfor my saving powerto sprout and produce justicethat I, the Lord, create.
9. Israel, you have no rightto argue with your Creator.You are merely a clay potshaped by a potter.The clay doesn't ask,“Why did you make me this way?Where are the handles?”
10. Children don't have the rightto demand of their parents,“What have you doneto make us what we are?”
11. I am the Lord, the Creator,the holy God of Israel.Do you dare question meabout my own nationor about what I have done?
12. I created the worldand covered it with people;I stretched out the skyand filled it with stars.
13. I have done the right thingby placing Cyrus in power,and I will make the roads easyfor him to follow.I am the Lord All-Powerful!Cyrus will rebuild my cityand set my people freewithout being paid a thing.I, the Lord, have spoken.
14. My people, I, the Lord, promisethat the riches of Egyptand the treasures of Ethiopiawill belong to you.You will force into slaverythose tall people of Seba.They will bow down and say,“The only true God is with you;there are no other gods.”
15. People of Israel,your God is a mystery,though he alone can save.
16. Anyone who makes idolswill be confusedand terribly disgraced.
17. But Israel, I, the Lord,will always keep you safeand free from shame.
18. The Lord alone is God!He created the heavensand made a worldwhere people can live,instead of creatingan empty desert.The Lord alone is God;there are no others.
19. The Lord did not speakin a dark secret placeor command Jacob's descendantsto search for him in vain.The Lord speaks the truth,and this is what he says
20. to every survivorfrom every nation:“Gather around me!Learn how senseless it isto worship wooden idolsor pray to helpless gods.
21. “Why don't you get togetherand meet me in court?Didn't I tell you long agowhat would happen?I am the only God!There are no others.I bring about justice,and have the power to save.
22. “I invite the whole worldto turn to me and be saved.I alone am God!No others are real.