6. I do this so that everyonefrom one end of the world to the othermay know that I am the Lordand that there is no other god.
7. I create both light and darkness;I bring both blessing and disaster.I, the Lord, do all these things.
8. I will send victory from the sky like rain;the earth will open to receive itand will blossom with freedom and justice.I, the Lord, will make this happen.”
9. Does a clay pot dare to argue with its maker,a pot that is like all the others?Does the clay ask the potter what he is doing?Does the pot complain that its maker has no skill?
10. Does anyone dare to say to his parents,“Why did you make me like this?”
11. The Lord, the holy God of Israel,the one who shapes the future, says:“You have no right to question me about my childrenor to tell me what I ought to do!
12. I am the one who made the earthand created the human race to live there.By my power I stretched out the heavens;I control the sun, the moon, and the stars.
13. I myself have stirred Cyrus to actionto fulfil my purpose and put things right.I will straighten every road that he travels.He will rebuild my city, Jerusalem,and set my captive people free.No one has hired him or bribed him to do this.”The Lord Almighty has spoken.
14. The Lord says to Israel,“The wealth of Egypt and Ethiopia will be yours,and the tall men of Seba will be your slaves;they will follow you in chains.They will bow down to you and confess,‘God is with you — he alone is God.
15. The God of Israel, who saves his people,is a God who conceals himself.
16. Those who make idols will all be ashamed;all of them will be disgraced.
17. But Israel is saved by the Lord,and her victory lasts for ever;her people will never be disgraced.’ ”