I have stirred him up in righteousness, and will level all roads for him. He will rebuild my city, and set my exiles free, not for a price or a bribe,’ says the Lord of Armies.
Who has stirred up someone from the east? In righteousness he calls him to serve. ,, The Lord hands nations over to him, and he subdues kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, like wind-driven stubble with his bow.
For this is what the Lord says: ‘Even the captives of a mighty man will be taken, and the prey of a tyrant will be delivered; I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your children.
‘I have stirred up one from the north, and he has come, one from the east who invokes my name. He will march over rulers as if they were mud, like a potter who treads the clay.
I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for my purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it.
who says to Cyrus, ‘My shepherd, he will fulfil all my pleasure’ and says to Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Its foundation will be laid.’
‘I am the Lord. I have called you for a righteous purpose, , and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,
Any of his people among you, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.
So now what have I here’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘that my people are taken away for nothing? Its rulers wail’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘and my name is continually blasphemed all day long.
Writhe and cry out, , Daughter Zion, like a woman in labour, for now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the grasp of your enemies!