Isaiah 44:28-45:6

Expanded Bible

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.”’”

45 This is what the Lord says to Cyrus [44:28], his ·appointed king [anointed one; messiah]:
    “I hold your right hand
and will help you ·defeat [subdue] nations
    and ·take away other kings’ power [or remove kings’ armor; ^Lopen the loins of kings].
I will open doors for you
    so city gates will not ·stop you [be shut].
² I will go before you
    and ·make the mountains flat [level mountains; 40:4].
I will ·break down [shatter; smash] the bronze gates of the cities
    and cut through their iron bars.
³ I will give you the ·wealth that is stored away [^Ltreasures of darkness]
    and the ·hidden riches [hoards in secret places]
so you will know I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who calls you by name.
⁴ I do these things for ·my servants, the people of Jacob [^Lthe sake of Jacob my servant],
    and for ·my chosen people, the Israelites [Israel, my chosen].
·Cyrus, I call [^LI call] you by name,
    and I give you a title of honor even though you don’t know me.
⁵ I am the Lord. There is no other God;
    I am the only God.
I will ·make you strong [or arm you for battle; ^Lgird you],
    even though you don’t know me,
⁶ so that everyone will know
    there is ·no other God [none besides me].
From the ·east [rising of the sun] to ·the west [its setting] they will know
    I alone am the Lord.