Isaiah 44:24-28

New International Reader's Version

“I am the Lord. I am the Maker of everything.
    I alone stretch out the heavens.
    I spread out the earth by myself.

²⁵ “Some prophets are not really prophets at all.
    I show that their signs are fake.
    I make those who practice evil magic look foolish.
I destroy the learning of those who think they are wise.
    Their knowledge does not make any sense at all.
²⁶ I make the words of my servants the prophets come true.
    I carry out what my messengers say will happen.

“I say about Jerusalem,
    ‘My people will live there again.’
I say about the towns of Judah,
    ‘They will be rebuilt.’
I say about their broken-down buildings,
    ‘I will make them like new again.’
²⁷ I say to the deep waters,
    ‘Dry up. Let your streams become dry.’
²⁸ I say about Cyrus,
    ‘He is my shepherd.
    He will accomplish everything I want him to.
He will say about Jerusalem,
    “Let it be rebuilt.”
And he will say about the temple,
    “Let its foundations be laid.” ’