17. And the rest he makes into a god, even his carved image.He falls down to it, and worships it,and prays to it, and says,“Deliver me, for you are my god.”
18. They have not known nor understood;for He has shut their eyes so that they cannot see,and their hearts so that they cannot understand.
19. No one considers in his heart,nor is there knowledge nor understanding to say,“I have burned part of it in the fire;I also have baked bread on the coals;I have roasted meat and eaten it;and shall I make the rest into an abomination?Shall I fall down to a block of wood?”
20. He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him asideso that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say,“Is there not a lie in my right hand?”
21. Remember these things, O Jacob,and Israel, for you are My servant;I have formed you; you are My servant;O Israel, you shall not be forgotten by Me.
22. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud,your transgressions, and your sins, as a cloud.Return to Me,for I have redeemed you.
23. Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it.Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;break forth into singing, you mountains,O forest, and every tree in it.For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,and glorified Himself in Israel.
24. Thus says the Lord,your Redeemer, and He who formed you from the womb: I am the Lordwho makes all things,who stretches out the heavens alone,who spreads abroad the earth by Myself,
25. who frustrates the omens of the boastersand makes fools out of diviners,who turns wise men backwardand makes their knowledge foolish,
26. who confirms the word of His servantand performs the counsel of His messengers, who says to Jerusalem, “You shall be inhabited,”and to the cities of Judah, “You shall be built.”And I will raise up her ruins again;
27. it is I who says to the deep, “Be dried up!”And I will dry up your rivers;
28. it is I who says of Cyrus, “He is My shepherd,and shall perform all My desire”;and he declares to Jerusalem, “You shall be built,”and to the temple, “Your foundation shall be laid.”