41:23 Predict how future events will turn out, 1
so we might know you are gods.
Yes, do something good or bad,
so we might be frightened and in awe. 2
41:24 Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent;
the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting. 3
44:9 All who form idols are nothing;
the things in which they delight are worthless.
Their witnesses cannot see;
they recognize nothing, so they are put to shame.
44:10 Who forms a god and casts an idol
that will prove worthless? 4
45:20 Gather together and come!
Approach together, you refugees from the nations!
Those who carry wooden idols know nothing,
those who pray to a god that cannot deliver.
45:1 This is what the Lord says to his chosen 5 one,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold 6
in order to subdue nations before him,
and disarm kings, 7
to open doors before him,
so gates remain unclosed:
1 tn Heb “Declare the coming things, with respect to the end.”
2 tc The translation assumes the Qere (וְנִרְאֶה [vÿnir’eh], from יָרֵא [yare’], “be afraid”).
3 tn Heb “an object of disgust [is he who] chooses you.”
4 tn The rhetorical question is sarcastic. The sense is, “Who is foolish enough…?”
5 tn Heb “anointed” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “his appointed king.”
6 sn The “right hand” is a symbol of activity and strength; the Lord directs Cyrus’ activities and assures his success.
7 tn Heb “and the belts of kings I will loosen”; NRSV “strip kings of their robes”; NIV “strip kings of their armor.”
8 tn The adverbial participle ἀκούσαντες (akousante") is understood to be temporal and translated with “since.” A causal idea may also be in the apostle’s mind, but the context emphasizes temporal ideas, e.g., “from the day” (v. 6).