God Forgives and Redeems

21“Remember these things, O Jacob,
         And Israel, for you are My servant;
         I have formed you, you are My servant,
         O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me.

22“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud
         And your sins like a heavy mist.
         Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

23Shout for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
         Shout joyfully, you lower parts of the earth;
         Break forth into a shout of joy, you mountains,
         O forest, and every tree in it;
         For the LORD has redeemed Jacob
         And in Israel He shows forth His glory.

      24Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb,
         “I, the LORD, am the maker of all things,
         Stretching out the heavens by Myself
         And spreading out the earth all alone,

25Causing the omens of boasters to fail,
         Making fools out of diviners,
         Causing wise men to draw back
         And turning their knowledge into foolishness,

26Confirming the word of His servant
         And performing the purpose of His messengers.
         It is I who says of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be inhabited!’
         And of the cities of Judah, ‘They shall be built.’
         And I will raise up her ruins again.

27“It is I who says to the depth of the sea, ‘Be dried up!’
         And I will make your rivers dry.

28“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd!
         And he will perform all My desire.’
         And he declares of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built,’
         And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”

NASB ©1995