19. He does not think clearly;he lacks the wit and knowledge to say,“Half the wood I burned in the fire,on its embers I baked bread,I roasted meat and ate.Shall I turn the rest into an abomination?Shall I worship a block of wood?”
20. He is chasing ashes!A deluded mind has led him astray;He cannot save himself,does not say, “This thing in my right hand—is it not a fraud?”
21. Remember these things, Jacob,Israel, for you are my servant!I formed you, a servant to me;Israel, you shall never be forgotten by me:
22. I have brushed away your offenses like a cloud,your sins like a mist;return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23. Raise a glad cry, you heavens—the Lord has acted!Shout, you depths of the earth.Break forth, mountains, into song,forest, with all your trees.For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,shows his glory through 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,I spread out the earth by myself.
25. I bring to nought the omens of babblers,make fools of diviners,Turn back the wiseand make their knowledge foolish.
26. I confirm the words of my servant,carry out the plan my messengers announce.I say to Jerusalem, Be inhabited!To the cities of Judah, Be rebuilt!I will raise up their ruins.
27. I say to the deep, Be dry!I will dry up your rivers.
28. I say of Cyrus, My shepherd!He carries out my every wish,Saying of Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt,”and of the temple, “Lay its foundations.”