I form light and create darkness;
    I make well-being and (A)create calamity;
    I am the Lord, who does all these things.

(B)“Shower, O heavens, from above,
    and (C)let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
    let the earth cause them both to sprout;
    I the Lord have created it.

(D)“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
    a pot among earthen pots!
(E)Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
    or ‘Your work has no handles’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’
    or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’”

11 Thus says (F)the Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him:
(G)“Ask me of things to come;
    will you command me (H)concerning my children and (I)the work of my hands?[a]
12 (J)I made the earth
    and created man on it;
it was my hands (K)that stretched out the heavens,
    and (L)I commanded all their host.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 45:11 A slight emendation yields will you question me about my children, or command me concerning the work of my hands?

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Complete Bible on MP3-CD
ESV Complete Bible on MP3-CD
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $7.98
Save: $52.01 (87%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
Retail: $311.76
Our Price: $155.76
Save: $156.00 (50%)
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.23
Save: $2.76 (35%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Black
Retail: $12.99
Our Price: $7.49
Save: $5.50 (42%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
Retail: $129.99
Our Price: $87.99
Save: $42.00 (32%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars