Isaiah 45; Isaiah 46; 1 Thessalonians 3

1 This is what the LORD says about Cyrus, his anointed one: I have held him by his right hand so he could conquer the nations ahead of him, strip kings of their power, and open doors ahead of him so that the gates would not be shut.

2 I will go ahead of you, Cyrus, and smooth out the rough places. I will break down the bronze doors and cut through the iron bars.

3 I will give you treasures from dark places and hidden stockpiles. Then you will know that I, the LORD God of Israel, have called you by name.

4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, Israel, my chosen one, I have called you by name. I have given you a title of honor, although you don't know me.

5 I am the LORD, and there is no other. There is no other God besides me. I will strengthen you, although you don't know me,

6 so that from the east to the west people will know that there is no God except me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

7 I make light and create darkness. I make blessings and create disasters. I, the LORD, do all these things.

8 Rain down from above, you heavens, and pour down righteousness, you skies. Let the earth open. Let salvation and righteousness sprout. Let them spring up. I, the LORD, have created them.

9 How horrible it will be for the one who quarrels with his maker. He is pottery among other earthenware pots. Does the clay ask the one who shapes it, "What are you making?" Does your work say to you, "There are no handles"?

10 How horrible it will be for the one who says to his father, "Why did you conceive me?" or to his mother, "Why did you go through labor pains for me?"

11 The LORD is the Holy One and the maker of Israel. This is what the LORD says: Ask me about what is going to happen to my children! Are you going to give me orders concerning my handiwork?

12 I made the earth and created humans on it. I stretched out the heavens with my own hands. I commanded all the stars [to shine].

13 I prepared Cyrus for my righteous purpose. I will make all his roads straight. He will build my city and let my exiles go free without any payment or any reward, says the LORD of Armies.

14 This is what the LORD says: The products from Egypt, the merchandise from Sudan, and the important Sabaeans will come to you. They will belong to you. They will follow you. They will come to you in chains. They will bow to you and pray to you, "Certainly God is with you alone, and there is no other God."

15 Certainly, you are a God who has hidden himself. You are the God of Israel, the Savior!

16 Those who make idols will be ashamed and disgraced. They will go away completely disgraced.

17 Israel has been saved by the LORD forever. You will never again be ashamed or disgraced.

18 The LORD created the heavens. God formed the earth and made it. He set it up. He did not create it to be empty but formed it to be inhabited. This is what the LORD says: I am the LORD, and there is no other.

19 I haven't spoken privately or in some dark corner of the world. I didn't say to Jacob's descendants, "Search for me in vain!" I, the LORD, speak what is fair and say what is right.

20 Come here, you refugees from the nations. Ignorant people carry wooden idols and pray to gods that cannot save [anyone].

21 Speak and present your case. Yes, let them consult one another. Who revealed this in the distant past and predicted it long ago? Wasn't it I, the LORD? There is no other God except me. There is no other righteous God and Savior besides me.

22 Turn to me and be saved, all who live at the ends of the earth, because I am God, and there is no other.

23 I have bound myself with an oath. A word has gone out from my righteous mouth that will not be recalled, "Every knee will bow to me and every tongue will swear [allegiance]."

24 It will be said of me, "Certainly, righteousness and strength are found in the LORD alone." All who are angry with him will come to him and be ashamed.

25 All the descendants of Israel will be declared righteous, and they will praise the LORD.

1 The god Bel bows down; the god Nebo stoops low. Their statues are seated on animals and cattle. The gods that you carry are burdens, a load for weary people.

2 These gods stoop low and bow down together. They aren't able to escape with heavy loads. They go away into captivity.

3 Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, the few people left of the nation of Israel. I've carried you since your birth. I've taken care of you from the time you were born.

4 Even when you're old, I'll take care of you. Even when your hair turns gray, I'll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I'll support you and save you.

5 To whom will you compare me and make me equal? To whom will you compare me so that we can be alike?

6 People pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on scales. They hire a goldsmith. He makes it into a god. They bow down and worship it.

7 They lift it on their shoulders and carry it. They set the idol in its place, and it stands there. It doesn't move from its place. If they cry to it for help, it can't answer. It can't rescue them from their distress.

8 Remember this, and take courage. Recall your rebellious acts.

9 Remember the first events, because I am God, and there is no other. I am God, and there's no one like me.

10 From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, "My plan will stand, and I'll do everything I intended to do."

11 I will call a bird of prey from the east. I will call someone for my plan from a faraway land. I have spoken, and I will bring it about. I have planned it, and I will do it.

12 Listen to me, you stubborn people who are far from being righteous.

13 I'll bring my righteousness near; it isn't far away. My salvation will not be delayed. I'll provide salvation for Zion and bring my glory to Israel.

1 We thought it best to remain in Athens by ourselves. But, because we couldn't wait any longer [for news about you],

2 we sent our brother Timothy to you. He serves God by spreading the Good News about Christ. His mission was to strengthen and encourage you in your faith

3 so that these troubles don't disturb any of you. You know that we're destined to suffer persecution.

4 In fact, when we were with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to suffer persecution. And as you know, that's what happened.

5 But when I couldn't wait any longer, I sent [Timothy] to find out about your faith. I wanted to see whether the tempter had in some way tempted you, making our work meaningless.

6 But Timothy has just now come back to us from you and has told us the good news about your faith and love. He also told us that you always have fond memories of us and want to see us, as we want to see you.

7 So brothers and sisters, your faith has encouraged us in all our distress and trouble.

8 Now we can go on living as long as you keep your relationship with the Lord firm.

9 We can never thank God enough for all the joy you give us as we rejoice in God's presence.

10 We pray very hard night and day that we may see you again so that we can supply whatever you still need for your faith.

11 We pray that God our Father and the Lord Jesus will guide us to you.

12 We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else, just as we love you.

13 Then he will strengthen you to be holy. Then you will be blameless in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all God's holy people.