Isaiah 45:1-7

Good News Translation

The Lord Appoints Cyrus

45 The Lord has chosen Cyrus to be king.
He has appointed him to conquer nations;
    he sends him to strip kings of their power;
    the Lord will open the gates of cities for him.
To Cyrus the Lord says,
²“I myself will prepare your way,
    leveling mountains and hills.
I will break down bronze gates
    and smash their iron bars.
³I will give you treasures from dark, secret places;
    then you will know that I am the Lord
    and that the God of Israel has called you by name.
⁴I appoint you to help my servant Israel,
    the people that I have chosen.
I have given you great honor,
    although you do not know me.

⁵“I am the Lord; there is no other god.
    I will give you the strength you need,
    although you do not know me.
⁶I do this so that everyone
    from one end of the world to the other
    may know that I am the Lord
    and that there is no other god.
⁷I create both light and darkness;
    I bring both blessing and disaster.
    I, the Lord, do all these things.