1. ‘This is what the Lord says to his anointed,to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold ofto subdue nations before himand to strip kings of their armour,to open doors before himso that gates will not be shut:
2. I will go before youand will level the mountains;I will break down gates of bronzeand cut through bars of iron.
3. I will give you hidden treasures,riches stored in secret places,so that you may know that I am the Lord,the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4. For the sake of Jacob my servant,of Israel my chosen,I summon you by nameand bestow on you a title of honour,though you do not acknowledge me.
5. I am the Lord, and there is no other;apart from me there is no God.I will strengthen you,though you have not acknowledged me,
6. so that from the rising of the sunto the place of its settingpeople may know there is none besides me.I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7. I form the light and create darkness,I bring prosperity and create disaster;I, the Lord, do all these things.