17. But the rest of the wood they make into gods, carved statues. They bow to them and worship them. They pray to them, saying, “Rescue us, because you are our gods.”
18. They don’t know or understand anything. Their eyes are plastered shut, so they can’t see. And their minds are closed, so they can’t understand.
19. No one stops to think. No one has enough knowledge or understanding to say, “I burned half of the wood in the fire. I also baked bread over its coals. I roasted meat and ate it. Now I am making the rest of the wood into a disgusting thing and bowing to a block of wood.”
20. They eat ashes because they are deceived. Their own misguided minds lead them astray. They can’t rescue themselves or ask themselves, “Isn’t what I hold in my right hand a false god?”
21. Remember these things, Jacob:You are my servant, Israel.I formed you; you are my servant.Israel, I will not forget you.
22. I made your rebellious acts disappear like a thick cloudand your sins like the morning mist.Come back to me, because I have reclaimed you.
23. Sing with joy, you heavens, because the Lord has done this.Rejoice, you deep places of the earth.Break into shouts of joy, you mountains,you forests and every tree in them.The Lord has reclaimed Jacob.He will display his glory in Israel.
24. The Lord reclaimed you.He formed you in the womb.This is what the Lord says:I, the Lord, made everything.I stretched out the heavens by myself.I spread out the earth all alone.
25. I cause the signs of false prophets to failand make fools of fortunetellers.I make wise men retreatand turn their knowledge into foolishness.
26. He confirms the word of his servantand fulfills the plan of his messengers.He says about Jerusalem, “It will be inhabited.”He says about the cities of Judah, “They will be rebuilt.”He says about their ruins, “I will restore them.”
27. He says to the deep water, “Dry up.”So I will dry up your rivers.
28. He says about Cyrus, “He is my shepherd.He will do everything I want him to do.”He says about Jerusalem, “It will be rebuilt.”He says about the temple, “Your foundation will be laid.”