*I have raised up one from the north, and he has come; from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name; and he shall come on rulers as on mortar, and as the potter treads clay.
I will send him against a profane nation, and against the people who anger me will I give him a charge to take the spoil and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
A grievous vision is declared to me. The treacherous man deals treacherously, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, `Elam; attack! I have stopped all of Madai's sighing.
Who has raised up one from the east? Whom called him to his foot in righteousness? He hands over nations to him, and makes him rule over kings. He gives them like the dust to his sword, like the driven stubble to his bow.
Who says of Koresh, [He is] my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure, even saying of Yerushalayim, She shall be built; and of the temple, Your foundation shall be laid.
Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Koresh, whose right hand I have held, to subdue nations before him, and I will loose the waists of kings; to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says the LORD of Armies.
For out of the north there comes up a nation against her, which shall make her land desolate, and none shall dwell therein: they are fled, they are gone, both man and animal.
Then my enemy will see it, and shame will cover her who said to me, where is the LORD your God? Then my enemy will see me and will cover her shame. Now she will be trodden down like the mire of the streets.
They shall be as mighty men, treading down muddy streets in the battle; and they shall fight, because the LORD is with them; and the riders on horses will be confounded.
The sixth poured out his bowl on the great river, the Perat. Its water was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrise.