Isaiah 44:6-23

Isaiah 44:6-23

[6] Thus saith  the LORD  the King  of Israel,  and his redeemer  the LORD  of hosts;  I am the first,  and I am the last;  and beside  me there is no God.  [7] And who, as I, shall call,  and shall declare  it, and set it in order  for me, since I appointed  the ancient  people?  and the things that are coming,  and shall come,  let them shew  unto them. [8] Fear  ye not, neither be afraid:  have not I told  thee from that time,  and have declared  it? ye are even my witnesses.  Is there  a God  beside  me? yea, there is no God;  I know  [9] They that make  a graven image  are all of them vanity;  and their delectable things  shall not profit;  and they are their own witnesses;  they see  not, nor know;  that they may be ashamed.  [10] Who hath formed  a god,  or molten  a graven image  that is profitable  for nothing?  [11] Behold, all his fellows  shall be ashamed:  and the workmen,  they are of men:  let them all be gathered together,  let them stand up;  yet they shall fear,  and they shall be ashamed  together.  [12] The smith  with the tongs  both worketh  in the coals,  and fashioneth  it with hammers,  and worketh  it with the strength  of his arms:  and his strength  faileth:  he drinketh  no water,  and is faint.  [13] stretcheth out  his rule;  he marketh it out  with a line;  he fitteth  it with planes,  and he marketh it out  with the compass,  and maketh  it after the figure  of a man,  according to the beauty  of a man;  that it may remain  in the house.  [14] He heweth him down  cedars,  and taketh  the cypress  and the oak,  which he strengtheneth  for himself among the trees  of the forest:  he planteth  an ash,  and the rain  doth nourish  it. [15] Then shall it be for a man  to burn:  for he will take  thereof, and warm  himself; yea, he kindleth  it, and baketh  bread;  yea, he maketh  a god,  and worshippeth  it; he maketh  it a graven image,  and falleth down  thereto. [16] He burneth  part  thereof in  the fire;  with part  thereof he eateth  flesh;  he roasteth  roast,  and is satisfied:  yea, he warmeth  himself, and saith,  Aha,  I am warm,  I have seen  the fire:  [17] And the residue  thereof he maketh  a god,  even his graven image:  he falleth down  unto it, and worshippeth  it, and prayeth  unto it, and saith,  Deliver  me; for thou art my god.  [18] They have not known  nor understood:  for he hath shut  their eyes,  that they cannot see;  and their hearts,  that they cannot understand.  [19] And none considereth  in his heart,  neither is there knowledge  nor understanding  to say,  I have burned  part  of it in  the fire;  yea, also I have baked  bread  upon the coals  thereof; I have roasted  flesh,  and eaten  it: and shall I make  the residue  thereof an abomination?  shall I fall down  to the stock  of a tree?  [20] He feedeth  on ashes:  a deceived  heart  hath turned him aside,  that he cannot deliver  his soul,  nor say,  Is there not a lie  in my right hand?  [21] Remember  these, O Jacob  and Israel;  for thou art my servant:  I have formed  thee; thou art my servant:  O Israel,  thou shalt not be forgotten  of me. [22] I have blotted out,  as a thick cloud,  thy transgressions,  and, as a cloud,  thy sins:  return  unto me; for I have redeemed  [23] Sing,  O ye heavens;  hath done  it: shout,  ye lower parts  of the earth:  break forth  into singing,  ye mountains,  O forest,  and every tree  hath redeemed  Jacob,  and glorified  himself in Israel.