44 “But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 2 The LORD who made you and helps you says: O dear Israel, my chosen one. 3 For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and my blessing on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. 5 Some will proudly claim, ‘I belong to the LORD.’ and will take the name of Israel as their own.” 6 This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: there is no other God. 7 Who is like me? when I established a people and explained its future. 8 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. No! There is no other Rock—not one!” 9 How foolish are those who manufacture idols. so they are all put to shame. 10 Who but a fool would make his own god— an idol that cannot help him one bit? 11 All who worship idols will be disgraced but they will stand in terror and shame. 12 The blacksmith stands at his forge to make a sharp tool, It makes him thirsty and faint. 13 Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood and puts it in a little shrine. 14 He cuts down cedars; to be nourished by the rain. 15 Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire. and bows down in front of it! 16 He burns part of the tree to roast his meat He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.” 17 Then he takes what’s left “You are my god!” 18 Such stupidity and ignorance! Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. 19 The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?” 20 The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes. “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?” 21 “Pay attention, O Jacob, and I will not forget you. 22 I have swept away your sins like a cloud. for I have paid the price to set you free.” 23 Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done this wondrous thing. and is glorified in Israel. 24 This is what the LORD says— when I made the earth? 25 I expose the false prophets as liars thus proving them to be fools. 26 But I carry out the predictions of my prophets! I will restore all your ruins!’ 27 When I speak to the rivers and say, ‘Dry up!’ they will be dry. 28 When I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,’ he will say, ‘Restore the Temple.’”