160 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
160 lines
4.4 KiB
Markdown
Spiritual Blessing
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# Chapter 44
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1. "And now listen, Jacob my servant,
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Israel whom I have chosen.
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2. This is the word of the Lord
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your Maker, the one who formed you from the womb:
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He will help you.
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Do not fear, Jacob my servant,
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Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
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3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land
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and streams on the dry ground;
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I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants
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and my blessing on your offspring.
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4. They will sprout among the grass
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like poplars by flowing streams.
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5. This one will say, '
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I am the Lord's';
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another will use the name of Jacob;
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still another will write on his hand, 'The Lord's,'
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and take on the name of Israel."
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No God Other Than the Lord
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6. This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Armies, says:
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I am the first and I am the last.
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There is no God but me.
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7. Who, like me, can announce the future?
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Let him say so and make a case before me,
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since I have established an ancient people.
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Let these gods declare the coming things,
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and what will take place.
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8. Do not be startled or afraid.
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Have I not told you and declared it long ago?
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You are my witnesses!
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Is there any God but me?
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There is no other Rock; I do not know any.
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9. All who make idols are nothing,
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and what they treasure benefits no one.
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Their witnesses do not see or know anything,
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so they will be put to shame.
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10. Who makes a god or casts a metal image
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that benefits no one?
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11. Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame,
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and the craftsmen are humans.
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They all will assemble and stand;
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they all will be startled and put to shame.
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12. The ironworker labors over the coals,
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shapes the idol with hammers,
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and works it with his strong arm.
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Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;
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he doesn't drink water and is faint.
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13. The woodworker stretches out a measuring line,
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he outlines it with a stylus;
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he shapes it with chisels
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and outlines it with a compass.
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He makes it according to a human form,
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like a beautiful person,
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to dwell in a temple.
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14. He cuts down cedars for his use,
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or he takes a cypress or an oak.
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He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.
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He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
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15. A person can use it for fuel.
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He takes some of it and warms himself;
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also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;
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he even makes it into a god and worships it;
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he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.
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16. He burns half of it in a fire,
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and he roasts meat on that half.
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He eats the roast and is satisfied.
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He warms himself and says, "Ah!
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I am warm, I see the blaze."
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17. He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.
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He bows down to it and worships;
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he prays to it, "Save me, for you are my god."
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18. Such people do not comprehend
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and cannot understand,
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for he has shut their eyes so they cannot see,
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and their minds so they cannot understand.
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19. No one comes to his senses;
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no one has the perception or insight to say,
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"I burned half of it in the fire,
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I also baked bread on its coals,
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I roasted meat and ate.
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Should I make something detestable with the rest of it?
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Should I bow down to a block of wood?"
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20. He feeds on ashes.
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His deceived mind has led him astray,
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and he cannot rescue himself,
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or say, "Isn't there a lie in my right hand?"
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21. Remember these things, Jacob,
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and Israel, for you are my servant;
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I formed you, you are my servant;
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Israel, you will never be forgotten by me.
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22. I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud,
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and your sins like a mist.
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Return to me,
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for I have redeemed you.
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23. Rejoice, heavens, for the Lord has acted;
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shout, depths of the earth.
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Break out into singing, mountains,
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forest, and every tree in it.
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For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
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and glorifies himself through Israel.
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Restoration of Israel through Cyrus
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24. This is what the Lord, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb, says:
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I am the Lord, who made everything;
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who stretched out the heavens by myself;
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who alone spread out the earth;
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25. who destroys the omens of the false prophets
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and makes fools of diviners;
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who confounds the wise
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and makes their knowledge foolishness;
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26. who confirms the message of his servant
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and fulfills the counsel of his messengers;
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who says to Jerusalem, "She will be inhabited,"
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and to the cities of Judah, "They will be rebuilt,"
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and I will restore her ruins;
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27. who says to the depths of the sea, "Be dry,"
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and I will dry up your rivers;
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28. who says to Cyrus, "My shepherd,
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he will fulfill all my pleasure"
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and says to Jerusalem, "She will be rebuilt,"
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and of the temple, "Its foundation will be laid."
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