²⁴ This is what the Lord ·who saved you [your redeemer] says,
    the one who formed you in ·your mother’s body [^Lthe womb]:
“I, the Lord, made everything,
    stretching out the skies by myself
    and spreading out the earth all alone.
²⁵ I ·show that the signs of the lying prophets are false [^Lfrustrate the signs of babblers/or empty talkers];
    I make fools of ·those who do magic [diviners].
I ·confuse even [reverse what is said by] the wise;
    they think they know much, but I make ·them look foolish [their knowledge into foolishness].
²⁶ I ·make the messages of my servants come true [confirm my servants’ words];
    I make the ·advice [or prophecies] of my messengers come true.
I say to Jerusalem,
    ‘·People will live in you again [^LIt will be inhabited]!’
I say to the towns of Judah,
    ‘You will be built again!’
I say to Jerusalem’s ruins,
    ‘I will ·repair you [raise you up].’
²⁷ I tell the deep waters, ‘Become dry!
    I will make your streams become dry!’
²⁸ I say of Cyrus [^Cthe Persian king (ruled 550–530 bc) who allowed Israel to return from exile; 41:2; 44:28—45:6; 46:11; 48:14–16], ‘He is my shepherd
    and will ·do [fulfill] all that I want him to do.
    He will say to Jerusalem, “You will be built again!”
He will tell the Temple, “Your foundations will be rebuilt.”’”