12. I made the earth. I created man to live there. My own hands spread out the heavens. I put all of the stars in their places.
13. I will stir up Cyrus and help him win his battles. I will make all of his roads straight. He will rebuild Jerusalem. My people have been taken away from their country. But he will set them free. I will not pay him to do it. He will not receive a reward for it," says the Lord who rules over all.
14. The Lord says to the people of Jerusalem, "You will get everything Egypt produces. You will receive everything the people of Cush and the tall Sabeans get in trade. All of it will belong to you. And all of those people will walk behind you as slaves. They will be put in chains and come over to you. They will bow down to you. They will admit, 'God is with you. There is no other God.' "
15. You are a God who hides yourself. You are the God of Israel. You save us.
16. All those who make statues of gods will be put to shame. They will be dishonored. They will be led away in shame together.
17. But the Lord will save Israel. He will save them forever. They will never be put to shame or dishonored. That will be true for all time to come.
18. The Lord created the heavens. He is God. He formed the earth and made it. He set it firmly in place. He didn't create it to be empty. Instead, he formed it for people to live on. He says, "I am the Lord. There is no other Lord.
19. I have not spoken in secret. I have not spoken from a dark place. I have not said to Jacob's people, 'It is useless to look for me.' I am the Lord. I always speak the truth. I always say what is right.