“Woe to the one who (A)quarrels with [a]his Maker—
A piece of pottery [b]among the other earthenware pottery pieces!
Will the (B)clay say to the [c]potter, ‘What are you doing?’
Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you fathering?’
Or to a woman, ‘To what are you [d]giving birth?’”

11 This is what the (C)Lord says, the Holy One of Israel and [e]his (D)Maker:

[f](E)Ask Me about the things to come [g]concerning My (F)sons,
And you shall commit to Me (G)the work of My hands.
12 It is I who (H)made the earth, and created mankind upon it.
I (I)stretched out the heavens with My hands,
And I [h]ordained (J)all their [i]lights.
13 I have stirred him in (K)righteousness,
And I will (L)make all his ways smooth.
He will (M)build My city and let My exiles go (N)free,
Without any payment or reward,” says the Lord of armies.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 45:9 Lit He who formed him
  2. Isaiah 45:9 Lit with
  3. Isaiah 45:9 Lit he who formed him
  4. Isaiah 45:10 Lit in labor pains with
  5. Isaiah 45:11 Lit He who formed him
  6. Isaiah 45:11 Or Will you ask
  7. Isaiah 45:11 Or upon
  8. Isaiah 45:12 Or commanded
  9. Isaiah 45:12 Lit host; i.e., sun, stars, etc.

Woe to those who strive with their Maker,
    earthen vessels with the potter![a]
Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, “What are you making”?
    or “Your work has no handles”?(A)
10 Woe to anyone who says to a father, “What are you fathering?”
    or to a woman, “With what are you in labor?”
11 Thus says the Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel and its Maker:
Will you question me[b] about my children
    or command me concerning the work of my hands?(B)
12 I made the earth
    and created humankind upon it;
it was my hands that stretched out the heavens,
    and I commanded all their host.(C)
13 I have aroused Cyrus[c] in righteousness,
    and I will make all his paths straight;
he shall build my city
    and set my exiles free,
not for price or reward,
    says the Lord of hosts.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 45.9 Cn: Heb with the potsherds or with the potters
  2. 45.11 Cn: Heb Ask me of things to come
  3. 45.13 Heb him