Isaiah 44

All 28 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1"But now listen, Jacob my servant — Israel, the one I have chosen.
2. 2This is what the LORD says — the one who made you, who shaped you in the womb, and who will help you: "Don't be afraid, Jacob my servant, and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3. 3I will pour water on the thirsty and send streams across the dry ground. I will pour my spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring.
4. 4They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like willows growing beside flowing streams.
5. 5One person will say, "I belong to the LORD." Another will call himself by the name of Jacob. Another will write with his hand that he belongs to the LORD and take the name of Israel.
6. 6This is what the LORD says — the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God."
7. 7Who is like me? Let him step forward and declare it — let him lay it out in order before me. Ever since I established my ancient people, who has announced what is coming and what will happen? Let them prove it.
8. 8Don't be afraid. Don't tremble. Haven't I told you long ago and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any God besides me? There is no other God; I know of none.
9. 9All who make a carved image are empty, and their delightful things will not profit. They are their own witnesses; they do not see or know, so that they may be ashamed.
10. 10Who would fashion a god or cast an idol that can do absolutely nothing for them?
11. 11Look — everyone involved with that idol will be put to shame. The craftsmen are only human. Let them all gather together and take their stand. They will tremble, and together they will be humiliated.
12. 12The blacksmith works with the tongs in the coals, shapes it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms. Yes, he is hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.
13. 13The carpenter stretches out his ruler; he marks it out with a line; he fits it with planes, and he marks it out with the compass, and makes it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man, so that it may remain in the house.
14. 14He cuts down cedars, and takes the cypress and the oak, which he strengthens for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants an ash, and the rain nourishes it.
15. 15Then he uses that same wood for fuel. He takes some of it and warms himself by the fire. He kindles a flame and bakes bread. And with what's left? He makes a god and worships it! He carves an idol and bows down before it.
16. 16He burns half the wood in the fire. Over that half he cooks his meat, roasts his dinner, and eats until he's full. He warms himself and says, "Ah, that feels good! I can feel the heat of the fire."
17. 17Then from the leftover wood he makes a god — his carved idol. He bows down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, "Save me! You are my god!"
18. 18They do not know or understand because He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and their hearts so they cannot understand.
19. 19And none considers it in his heart, nor has knowledge or understanding to say, "I have burned part of it in the fire; yes, I have also baked bread on its coals; I have roasted meat and eaten it. Shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?"
20. 20He's feeding on ashes. A deceived heart has led him astray, and he can't rescue his own soul. He can't even ask himself, "Isn't this thing in my hand a lie?"
21. 21"Remember these things, Jacob and Israel, because you are my servant. I formed you. You are my servant. Israel, I will not forget you.
22. 22I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a cloud. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23. 23Sing for joy, you heavens, because the LORD has done it! Shout, you depths of the earth! Break out in song, you mountains, you forests and every tree! The LORD has redeemed Jacob and displayed his glory in Israel.
24. 24This is what the LORD says — your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: "I am the LORD, the maker of all things. I stretched out the heavens by myself. I spread out the earth alone.
25. 25I expose the signs of false prophets as lies and make fools of fortune-tellers. I turn the wisdom of the wise upside down and make their knowledge look foolish.
26. 26But I confirm the word of my servant and carry out the plans announced by my messengers. I say of Jerusalem, 'She will be inhabited again,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They will be rebuilt — I will restore their ruins.'
27. 27I say to the deep waters, 'Be dry!' and 'I will dry up your rivers.'
28. 28I say of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he will carry out everything I desire.' He will say of Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid again.'"