2 “Who caused the one to come from the east?Who gives him victories everywhere he goes?The one who brought him gives nations over to himand defeats kings.He uses his sword, and kings become like dust.He uses his bow, and they are blown away like chaff.
3 He chases them and is never hurt,going places he has never been before.
4 Who caused this to happen?Who has controlled history since the beginning?I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning,and I will be here when all things are finished.”
5 All you faraway places, look and be afraid;all you places far away on the earth, shake with fear.Come close and listen to me.
6 The workers help each otherand say to each other, “Be strong!”
7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith,and the workman who smooths the metal with a hammer encourages the one who shapes the metal.He says, “This metal work is good.”He nails the statue to a base so it can’t fall over.
8 The Lord says, “People of Israel, you are my servants.People of Jacob, I chose you.You are from the family of my friend Abraham.