Isaiah 45:11-13

New International Reader's Version

¹¹ The Lord is the Holy One of Israel.
    He made them.
He says to them,
    “Are you asking me about what will happen to my children?
    Are you telling me what I should do with what my hands have made?
¹² I made the earth.
    I created human beings to live there.
My own hands spread out the heavens.
    I put all the stars in their places.
¹³ I will stir up Cyrus and help him win his battles.
    I will make all his roads straight.
He will rebuild Jerusalem.
    My people have been taken away from their country.
    But he will set them free.
I will not pay him to do it.
    He will not receive a reward for it,”
    says the Lord who rules over all.