The Creator Forms Salvation and Raises Cyrus

⁸ Drip down, O heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth open up that salvation may sprout and righteousness spring up with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

⁹ Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker—one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?

¹⁰ Woe to him who says to his father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to his mother, ‘What have you brought forth?’”

¹¹ Thus says the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: “Concerning things to come, do you question Me about My sons, or instruct Me in the work of My hands?

¹² It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.

¹³ I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”