God

"Heavens above, rain down justice; let the clouds pour it down. Let the earth open, so that salvation springs up, and justice sprouts with it. I, ADONAI, have created it."

Thus says ADONAI, the Holy One of Isra'el, his Maker: "You ask for signs concerning my children? You give orders concerning the work of my hands?

I am the one who made the earth! I created human beings on it! I- my hands - stretched out the heavens, and directed all their number.

I am stirring up Koresh to righteousness, I am smoothing out all his paths. He will rebuild my city; and he will free my exiles, taking neither ransom nor bribe," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

Here is what ADONAI says: "The earnings of Egypt, the commerce of Ethiopia, and men of stature from S'va will come over to you and become yours; they will come in chains and follow you. They will prostrate themselves before you; they will pray to you: 'Surely God is with you; there is no other, other gods are nothing.'"

Truly, you are a God who hides himself, God of Isra'el, Savior!

But Isra'el, saved by ADONAI with an everlasting salvation, you will never, ever, be ashamed or disgraced.

For thus says ADONAI, who created the heavens, God, who shaped and made the earth, who established and created it not to be chaos, but formed it to be lived in: "I am ADONAI; there is no other.

I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Ya'akov, 'It is in vain that you will seek me.' I, ADONAI, speak rightly; I say what is true.

Let them stand and present their case! Indeed, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, announced it in times gone by? Wasn't it I, ADONAI? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides me.

Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God; there is no other.

In the name of myself I have sworn, from my mouth has rightly gone out, a word that will not return - that to me every knee will bow and every tongue will swear

about me that only in ADONAI are justice and strength." All who rage against him will come to him ashamed,

but all the descendants of Isra'el will find justice and glory in ADONAI.

"Listen to me, house of Ya'akov, all who remain of the house of Isra'el: I have borne you from birth, carried you since the womb.

Till your old age I will be the same - I will carry you until your hair is white. I have made you, and I will bear you; yes, I will carry and save you.

To whom will you liken me and equate me? With whom will you compare me, as if we were similar?"

"Remember things that happened at the beginning, long ago - that I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.

At the beginning I announce the end, proclaim in advance things not yet done; and I say that my plan will hold, I will do everything I please to do.

I call a bird of prey from the east, the man I intended, from a distant country. I have spoken and will bring it about; I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it.

Listen to me, you stubborn people, so far from righteousness:

I am bringing my justice nearer, it is not far away; my salvation will not be delayed, I will place my salvation in Tziyon for Isra'el my glory.

Your private parts will be exposed; yes, your shame will be seen. I am going to take vengeance, and no one will stand in my way."

Our Redeemer! ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name, the Holy One of Isra'el!

I was angry with my people, I desecrated my own possession and gave them over to you. But you showed them no mercy; you made your yoke very heavy, even upon the aged.