¹¹ Thus says ^(A)the Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him:
^(B)“Ask me of things to come;
    will you command me ^(C)concerning my children and ^(D)the work of my hands?^[a]
12 (E)I made the earth
    and created man on it;
it was my hands ^(F)that stretched out the heavens,
    and ^(G)I commanded all their host.
^13 (H)I have stirred him up in righteousness,
    ^(I)and I will make all his ways level;
^(J)he shall build my city
    ^(K)and set my exiles free,
not for price or reward,”
    says the Lord of hosts.

^18 (A)For thus says the Lord,
who created the heavens
    (he is God!),
who formed the earth and made it
    (he established it;
he ^(B)did not create it empty,
    ^(C)he formed it to be inhabited!):
“I am the Lord, and there is no other.
^19 (D)I did not speak in secret,
    in a land of darkness;
I did not say to the offspring of Jacob,
    ^(E)‘Seek me in vain.’^[a]
I the Lord speak ^(F)the truth;
    I declare what is right.