1“But now hear, O Jacob my servant, Israel whom I have chosen! (Isa 41:8)2Thus says the Lord who made you, who formed you from the womb and will help you: Fear not, O Jacob my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen. (De 32:15; Ps 71:6; Isa 43:5; Isa 44:24; Isa 49:15; Jer 1:5; Ga 1:15)3For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. (Isa 35:6; Joe 2:28; Joh 7:38; Ac 2:18)4They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. (Ps 1:3)5This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” (Isa 14:1)
Besides Me There Is No God
6Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. (Isa 41:4; Isa 43:14; Isa 48:12; Re 1:8)7Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.[1] Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. (Isa 41:26)8Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.” (De 4:35; De 4:39; De 32:39; 1Sa 2:2; Isa 30:29; Isa 43:10; Isa 45:5; Joe 2:27)
The Folly of Idolatry
9All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. (Isa 41:24; Isa 41:29)10Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing? (Isa 40:19; Isa 41:6; Isa 46:6; Jer 10:3; Hab 2:18)11Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together. (Ps 115:8; Isa 42:17; Isa 45:16)12The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint. (Isa 44:10)13The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil.[2] He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house. (Ps 115:5)14He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. (Isa 40:20)15Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it.16Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!”17And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!” (Isa 45:20)18They know not, nor do they discern, for he has shut their eyes, so that they cannot see, and their hearts, so that they cannot understand.19No one considers, nor is there knowledge or discernment to say, “Half of it I burned in the fire; I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and have eaten. And shall I make the rest of it an abomination? Shall I fall down before a block of wood?” (De 27:15)20He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (Job 13:12; Ps 144:8; Ho 12:1; Ro 1:25)
The Lord Redeems Israel
21Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. (Isa 42:1; Isa 42:19; Isa 49:15)22I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. (Isa 43:25)23Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified[3] in Israel. (Ps 63:9; Ps 69:34; Isa 49:3; Isa 49:13; Isa 55:5; Isa 55:12; Isa 60:9; Jer 51:48; Ho 2:21)24Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, (Isa 42:5; Isa 43:14; Isa 44:2; Isa 45:12)25who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners, who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish, (Isa 19:3; Isa 19:14)26who confirms the word of his servant and fulfills the counsel of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built, and I will raise up their ruins’; (2Ch 36:22; Jer 32:15; Jer 32:44)27who says to the deep, ‘Be dry; I will dry up your rivers’; (Isa 11:15; Isa 51:10)28who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’” (2Sa 5:2; 2Ch 36:22; Ezr 1:1; Ps 78:72; Isa 45:1; Isa 45:13)
Isaiah 44
New International Version
Israel the chosen
1‘But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.2This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun,[1] whom I have chosen.3For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.4They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.5Some will say, “I belong to the Lord”; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, “The Lord’s,” and will take the name Israel.
The Lord, not idols
6‘This is what the Lord says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.7Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come – yes, let them foretell what will come.8Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.’9All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.10Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing?11People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame.12The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals; he shapes an idol with hammers, he forges it with the might of his arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength; he drinks no water and grows faint.13The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker; he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses. He shapes it in human form, human form in all its glory, that it may dwell in a shrine.14He cut down cedars, or perhaps took a cypress or oak. He let it grow among the trees of the forest, or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.15It is used as fuel for burning; some of it he takes and warms himself, he kindles a fire and bakes bread. But he also fashions a god and worships it; he makes an idol and bows down to it.16Half of the wood he burns in the fire; over it he prepares his meal, he roasts his meat and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, ‘Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.’17From the rest he makes a god, his idol; he bows down to it and worships. He prays to it and says, ‘Save me! You are my god!’18They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so that they cannot see, and their minds closed so that they cannot understand.19No-one stops to think, no-one has the knowledge or understanding to say, ‘Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?’20Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, ‘Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?’21‘Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you.22I have swept away your offences like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.’23Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel.
Jerusalem to be inhabited
24‘This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself,25who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense,26who carries out the words of his servants and fulfils the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, “It shall be inhabited,” of the towns of Judah, “They shall be rebuilt,” and of their ruins, “I will restore them,”27who says to the watery deep, “Be dry, and I will dry up your streams,”28who says of Cyrus, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please; he will say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’ ”
Isaiah 44
New International Reader’s Version
The Lord chooses Israel
1‘Family of Jacob, listen to me. You are my servant. People of Israel, I have chosen you.2I made you. I formed you when you were born as a nation. I will help you. So listen to what I am saying. Family of Jacob, do not be afraid. You are my servant. People of Israel, I have chosen you.3I will pour out water on the thirsty land. I will make streams flow on the dry ground. I will pour out my Spirit on your children. I will pour out my blessing on their children after them.4They will spring up like grass in a meadow. They will grow like poplar trees near flowing streams.5Some will say, “We belong to the LORD.” Others will call themselves by Jacob’s name. Still others will write on their hands, “We belong to the LORD.” And they will be called by the name of Israel.
Worship the Lord, not false gods
6‘I am Israel’s King. I set them free. I am the LORD who rules over all. So listen to what I am saying. I am the first and the last. I am the one and only God.7Who is like me? Let him come forward and speak boldly. Let him tell me everything that has happened since I created my people long ago. And let him tell me what has not happened yet. Let him announce in advance what is going to take place.8Do not tremble with fear. Do not be afraid. Didn’t I announce everything that has happened? Didn’t I tell you about it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any other God but me? No! There is no other Rock. I do not know even one.’9Those who make statues of gods don’t amount to anything. And the statues they think so much of are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind. They don’t know anything. So they will be put to shame.10People make statues of gods. But those gods can’t do any good.11People who do that will be put to shame. Those who make statues of gods are mere human beings. Let all of them come together and state their case. They will be terrified and put to shame.12A blacksmith gets his tool. He uses it to shape metal over the burning coals. He uses his hammers to make a statue of a god. He forms it with his powerful arm. He gets hungry and loses his strength. He doesn’t drink any water. He gets weaker and weaker.13A carpenter measures a piece of wood with a line. He draws a pattern on it with a marker. He cuts out a statue with sharp tools. He marks it with compasses. He shapes it into the form of a beautiful human being. He does this so he can put it in a temple.14He cuts down a cedar tree. Or perhaps he takes a cypress or an oak tree. It might be a tree that grew in the forest. Or it might be a pine tree he planted. And the rain made it grow.15A man gets wood from trees to burn. He uses some of it to warm himself. He starts a fire and bakes bread. But he also uses some of it to make a god and worship it. He makes a statue of a god and bows down to it.16He burns half of the wood in the fire. He prepares a meal over it. He cooks meat over it. He eats until he is full. He also warms himself. He says, ‘Good! I’m getting warm. The fire is nice and hot.’17From the rest of the wood he makes a statue. It becomes his god. He bows down and worships it. He prays to it. He says, ‘Save me! You are my god!’18People like that don’t even know what they are doing. Their eyes are shut so that they can’t see the truth. Their minds are closed so that they can’t understand it.19No one even stops to think about this. No one has any sense or understanding. If anyone did, they would say, ‘I used half of the wood for fuel. I even baked bread over the fire. I cooked meat. Then I ate it. Should I now make a statue of a god out of the wood that’s left over? Should I bow down to a block of wood? The LORD would hate that.’20That’s as foolish as eating ashes! The mind of someone like that has led him astray. He can’t save himself. He can’t bring himself to say, ‘This thing I’m holding in my right hand isn’t really a god at all.’21The LORD says, ‘Family of Jacob, remember these things. People of Israel, you are my servant. I have made you. You are my servant. Israel, I will not forget you.22I will sweep your sins away as if they were a cloud. I will blow them away as if they were the morning mist. Return to me. Then I will set you free.’23Sing for joy, you heavens! The LORD does wonderful things. Shout out loud, you earth! Burst into song, you mountains! Sing, you forests and all your trees! The LORD sets the family of Jacob free. He shows his glory in Israel.
People will live in Jerusalem again
24The LORD says, ‘People of Israel, I set you free. I formed you when you were born as a nation. ‘I am the LORD. I am the Maker of everything. I alone stretch out the heavens. I spread out the earth by myself.25‘Some prophets are not really prophets at all. I show that their signs are fake. I make those who practise evil magic look foolish. I destroy the learning of those who think they are wise. Their knowledge does not make any sense at all.26I make the words of my servants the prophets come true. I carry out what my messengers say will happen. ‘I say about Jerusalem, “My people will live there again.” I say about the towns of Judah, “They will be rebuilt.” I say about their broken-down buildings, “I will make them like new again.”27I say to the deep waters, “Dry up. Let your streams become dry.”28I say about Cyrus, “He is my shepherd. He will accomplish everything I want him to. He will say about Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt.’ And he will say about the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid.’ ”
Isaiah 44
King James Version
1Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:4And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.5One shall say, I am the LORD'; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.6Thus 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.7And 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.8Fear 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 not any .9They 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.10Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?11Behold, 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.12The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.13The carpenter 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.14He 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 .15Then 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.16He 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:17And 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.18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.19And 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?20He 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?21Remember 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.22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it : shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things ; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:27That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 44
Einheitsübersetzung 2016
Ausgießung des Geistes
1Jetzt aber höre, Jakob, mein Knecht, / Israel, den ich erwählt habe.2So spricht der HERR, dein Schöpfer, / der dich im Mutterleib geformt hat, der dir hilft:
Fürchte dich nicht, Jakob, mein Knecht, / du, Jeschurun, den ich erwählt habe![1] (De 32:15; De 33:5)3Denn ich gieße Wasser auf den dürstenden Boden, / rieselnde Bäche auf das trockene Land.
Ich gieße meinen Geist über deine Nachkommen aus / und meinen Segen über deine Sprösslinge.4Dann sprossen sie auf zwischen dem Gras, / wie Weidenbäume an Wassergräben.5Der eine sagt: Ich gehöre dem HERRN. / Ein anderer benennt sich mit dem Namen Jakobs.
Einer schreibt auf seine Hand: Für den HERRN. / Ein anderer wird ehrenvoll mit dem Namen Israel benannt.
Zeugenschaft für den einzigen Gott
6So spricht der HERR, Israels König, / sein Erlöser, der HERR der Heerscharen:
Ich bin der Erste, ich bin der Letzte, / außer mir gibt es keinen Gott. (Isa 41:4)7Wer ist mir gleich? Er soll sich melden, / er tue es mir kund und lege es mir dar, / als ich ein ewiges Volk einsetzte.
Und das Zukünftige, das kommen wird, / sollen sie ihnen kundtun. (Isa 41:23)8Erschreckt nicht und fürchtet euch nicht! / Habe ich es euch nicht schon längst zu Gehör gebracht und verkündet?
Ihr seid meine Zeugen: Gibt es einen Gott außer mir? / Es gibt keinen Fels außer mir, ich kenne keinen.
Herstellung der Götterbilder
9Nichtig sind alle, / die ein Götterbild formen; / ihre geliebten Götzen nützen nichts.
Und ihre Zeugen, sie sehen nichts / und verstehen nichts; darum werden sie beschämt.10Wer sich einen Gott macht / und sich ein Götterbild gießt, / hat keinen Nutzen davon.11Siehe, all seine Anhänger, die sich ihm anschließen, werden beschämt, / die Schmiede sind nichts als Menschen.
Sie sollen sich alle versammeln und vortreten; / dann werden sie alle von Schrecken gepackt und beschämt.12Der Schmied macht ein Beil und arbeitet in der Glut, / formt es mit Hämmern / und bearbeitet es mit kräftigem Arm.
Dabei wird er hungrig und hat keine Kraft mehr. / Trinkt er kein Wasser, so ermattet er. (Jer 10:3)13Der Schnitzer spannt die Messschnur, / er entwirft das Bild mit dem Stift / und schnitzt es mit den Messern;
er umreißt es mit dem Zirkel / und macht die Gestalt eines Mannes,
das prächtige Bild eines Menschen; / in einem Haus soll es wohnen.14Man fällt eine Zeder, wählt eine Terebinthe / oder sonst einen mächtigen Baum,
den man stärker werden ließ / als die übrigen Bäume im Wald.
Oder man pflanzt einen Lorbeerbaum, / den der Regen groß werden lässt.15Und es dient dem Menschen zum Heizen; / er nimmt davon und wärmt sich.
Auch schürt man das Feuer und bäckt damit Brot. / Oder man schnitzt daraus einen Gott / und wirft sich nieder vor ihm;
man macht ein Götterbild / und fällt vor ihm auf die Knie.16Einen Teil des Holzes verbrennt man im Feuer, / darüber isst man das Fleisch; / man brät einen Braten und sättigt sich.
Auch wärmt man sich am Feuer und sagt: / Oh, wie ist mir warm! Ich sehe das Feuer.17Aus dem Rest des Holzes aber macht man sich einen Gott, / sein Götterbild, vor das man sich beugt und niederwirft,
zu dem man betet und sagt: / Rette mich, du bist doch mein Gott!18Unwissend sind sie und ohne Verstand; / denn ihre Augen sind verklebt,
sie sehen nichts / und ihr Herz hat keine Einsicht.19Sie überlegen nichts, / sie haben keine Erkenntnis und Einsicht, / sodass sie sich sagen würden:
Den einen Teil habe ich ins Feuer geworfen, / habe Brot in der Glut gebacken / und Fleisch gebraten und es gegessen.
Aus dem Rest des Holzes aber habe ich mir / einen abscheulichen Götzen gemacht / und nun beuge ich mich nieder vor einem Holzklotz.20Wer Asche hütet, / den hat sein getäuschtes Herz verführt.
Er wird sein Leben nicht retten / und wird nicht sagen: / Ich halte ja nur ein Trugbild in meiner rechten Hand.
Sündenvergebung und Gotteslob
21Denk daran, Jakob, und du, Israel, / dass du mein Knecht bist.
Ich habe dich geformt. Du bist mein Knecht; / Israel, du bist mir unvergessen.22Ich habe weggewischt deine Vergehen wie eine Wolke / und deine Sünden wie Nebel. / Kehr um zu mir; denn ich habe dich erlöst. (Isa 43:25)23Jauchzt, ihr Himmel, denn der HERR hat gehandelt; / jubelt, ihr Tiefen der Erde!
Brecht in Jubel aus, ihr Berge, / ihr Wälder mit all euren Bäumen!
Denn der HERR hat Jakob erlöst / und er verherrlicht sich in Israel. (Ps 96:11; Isa 49:3; Isa 49:13; Isa 55:12)
Berufung und Aufgabe des Kyrus
24So spricht der HERR, dein Erlöser, / der dich von Mutterleib an geformt hat:
Ich bin der HERR, der alles bewirkt, / der allein den Himmel ausgespannt hat, / der die Erde ausgebreitet hat aus eigener Kraft, (Job 9:8; Isa 44:2)25der die Zeichendeutungen der Orakelpriester vereitelt / und die Wahrsager zu Narren macht,
der die Weisen zum Rückzug zwingt / und ihr Wissen als Dummheit entlarvt,26der das Wort seines Knechtes erfüllt / und den Plan seiner Boten vollendet,
der zu Jerusalem sagt: Werde wieder bewohnt! / und zu den Städten Judas: Werdet wieder aufgebaut! / Ich richte ihre Ruinen wieder auf! (Am 3:7)27Der zum tiefen Meer sagt: Trockne aus, / ich lasse deine Fluten versiegen!,28der zu Kyrus sagt: Mein Hirt - / alles, was ich will, wird er vollenden!,
der zu Jerusalem sagt: Es wird wieder aufgebaut! / und der Tempel wird wieder gegründet. (2Ch 36:23; Ezr 1:1)