18. They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.
19. No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?”
20. He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
21. Remember these things, O Jacob,and Israel, for you are my servant;I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloudand your sins like mist;return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23. Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it;shout, O depths of the earth;break forth into singing, O mountains,O forest, and every tree in it!For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.
24. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens,who spread out the earth by myself,
25. who frustrates the signs of liarsand makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men backand makes their knowledge foolish,
26. who confirms the word of his servantand fulfills the counsel of his messengers,who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built,and I will raise up their ruins’;
27. who says to the deep, ‘Be dry;I will dry up your rivers’;
28. who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,and he shall fulfill all my purpose’;saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’”