Cyrus the Lord's Anointed

Isaiah 45

The Lord addresses Cyrus as his anointed, promising to go before him and break down gates of bronze so that the nations may know there is no God beside him. Using the image of a potter shaping clay, the Lord declares himself the sole maker of light, darkness, and all things, whose righteousness every nation will one day acknowledge.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTHUS saith the Lord God: For Mine anointed, for Cyrus, (whose right hand I have taken hold of, that nations may listen before him) I will break the power of kings; I will open gates before him, and cities shall not be shut up.

BrentonThus saith the Lord God to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, that nations might be obedient before him; and I will break through the strength of kings; I will open doors before him, and cities shall not be closed.

GreekΟὕτῳ λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς τῷ χριστῷ μου Κύρῳ, οὗ ἐκράτησα τῆς δεξιᾶς, ἐπακοῦσαι ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ ἔθνη, καὶ ἰσχὺν βασιλέων διαῤῥήξω, ἀνοίξω ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ θύρας, καὶ πόλεις οὐ συγκλεισθήσονται.

KJVThus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

JPSThus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him, and to loose the loins of kings; to open the doors before him, and that the gates may not be shut:

ThomsonI will go before thee and level mountains; I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and burst asunder the bars of iron;

BrentonI will go before thee, and will level mountains: I will break to pieces brazen doors, and will burst iron bars.

GreekἘγὼ ἔμπροσθέν σου πορεύσομαι, καὶ ὄρη ὁμαλιῶ, θύρας χαλκᾶς συντρίψω, καὶ μοχλοὺς σιδηροῦς συνκλάσω.

KJVI will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

JPSI will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the doors of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron;

Thomsonand give thee treasures of darkness—deep, hidden, unseen treasures I will disclose to thee, that thou mayst know, that I, the Lord thy God, Who calleth thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

BrentonAnd I will give thee the treasures of darkness, I will open to thee hidden, unseen treasures, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord thy God, that call thee by name, am the God of Israel.

GreekΚαὶ δώσω σοι θησαυροὺς σκοτεινοὺς, ἀποκρύφους, ἀοράτους ἀνοίξω σοι, ἵνα γνῷς ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ὁ καλῶν τὸ ὄνομά σουὁ, Θεὸς Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

JPSAnd I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I am the LORD, who call thee by thy name, even the God of Israel.

ThomsonFor the sake of My servant Jacob, and of Israel My chosen one, I will call thee by thy name and receive thee kindly. As for thee, thou didst not know Me.

BrentonFor the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel mine elect, I will call thee by thy name, and accept thee: but thou hast not known me.

GreekἝνεκεν τοῦ παιδός μου Ἰακὼβ, καὶ Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ ἐκλεκτοῦ μου, ἐγὼ καλέσω σε τῷ ὀνόματί σου, καὶ προσδέξομαί σε· σὺ δὲ οὐκ ἔγνως με,

KJVFor Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

JPSFor the sake of Jacob My servant, and Israel Mine elect, I have called thee by thy name, I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me.

ThomsonBecause I am the Lord God and there is no God else besides Me; I strengthened thee when thou didst not know Me;

BrentonFor I am the Lord God, and there is no other God beside me; I strengthened thee, and thou hast not known me.

Greekὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν ἐμοῦ Θεός· ἐνίσχυσά σε, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδεις με,

KJVI am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

JPSI am the LORD, and there is none else, beside Me there is no God; I have girded thee, though thou hast not known Me;

Thomsonthat they from the risings of the sun and they from its goings down may know, that there is no God besides Me.

BrentonThat they that come from the east and they that come from the west may know that there is no God but me. I am the Lord God, and there is none beside.

Greekἵνα γνῶσιν οἱ ἀπʼ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου καὶ οἱ ἀπὸ δυσμῶν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι Θεὸς πλὴν ἐμοῦ· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι.

KJVThat they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.

JPSThat they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me; I am the LORD; and there is none else;

ThomsonI the Lord am God and there is none else. It was I Who provided light and made darkness; Who make peace and create evils: I the Lord God am He Who doth all these things.

BrentonI am he that prepared light, and formed darkness; who make peace, and create evil; I am the Lord God, that does all these things.

GreekἘγὼ ἡ κατασκευάσας φῶς, καὶ ποιήσας σκότος, ὁ ποιῶν εἰρήνην, καὶ κτίζων κακά· ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς, ὁ ποιῶν πάντα ταῦτα.

KJVI form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

JPSI form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am the LORD, that doeth all these things.

Thomson(c) Let the heaven above be glad; and the clouds shower down righteousness. Let the earth spring and bloom with mercy and let it cause righteousness to spring up with it. I the Lord am He Who created thee.

BrentonLet the heaven rejoice from above, and let the clouds rain righteousness: let the earth bring forth, and blossom with mercy, and bring forth righteousness likewise: I am the Lord that created thee.

GreekΕὐφρανθήτω ὁ οὐρανὸς ἄνωθεν, καὶ αἱ νεφέλαι ῥανάτωσαν δικαιοσύνην· ἀνατειλάτω ἡ γῆ, καὶ βλαστησάτω ἔλεος, καὶ δικαιοσύνην ἀνατειλάτω ἅμα· ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ κτίσας σε.

KJVDrop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

JPSDrop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness; let the earth open, that they may bring forth salvation, and let her cause righteousness to spring up together; I the LORD have created it.

ThomsonIs anything endowed with excellence? I fashioned it like the clay of a potter. Will the ploughman plough the ground all the day long? Will the clay say to the potter, What art thou making? Or the work to the workman, Thou hast not hands. Will the thing formed reply against him who formed it?

BrentonWhat excellent thing have I prepared as clay of the potter? Will the ploughman plough the earth all day? shall the clay say to the potter, What art thou doing that thou dost not work, nor hast hands? shall the thing formed answer him that formed it?

GreekΠοῖον βέλτιον κατεσκεύασα ὡς πηλὸν κεραμέως; μὴ ὁ ἀροτριῶν ἀροτριάσει τὴν γῆν ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν; μὴ ἐρεῖ ὁ πηλὸς τῷ κεραμεῖ, τί ποιεῖς ὅτι οὐκ ἐργάζῃ, οὐδὲ ἔχεις χεῖρας; μὴ ἀποκριθήσεται τὸ πλάσμα πρὸς τὸν πλάσαντα αὐτό;

KJVWoe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

JPSWoe unto him that striveth with his Maker, as a potsherd with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it: ‘What makest thou?’ Or: ‘Thy work, it hath no hands’?

ThomsonWill one say to his father, What wilt thou beget? Or to his mother, What art thou bringing forth?

BrentonAs though one should say to his father, What wilt thou beget me? and to his mother, What art thou bringing forth?

GreekὉ λέγων τῷ πατρὶ, τί γεννήσεις; καὶ τῇ μητρί, τί ὠδίνεις;

KJVWoe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?

JPS—

ThomsonWherefore thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, even He Who made the train of events; Do you question Me concerning My children; and concerning the works of My hands give Me directions!

BrentonFor thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, who has formed the things that are to come, Enquire of me concerning my sons, and concerning the works of my hands command me.

GreekὍτι οὕτω λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἅγιος Ἰσραὴλ, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ ἐπερχόμενα, ἐρωτήσατέ με περὶ τῶν υἱῶν μου, καὶ περὶ τῶν ἔργων τῶν χειρῶν μου ἐντείλασθέ μοι.

KJVThus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.

JPSThus saith the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: Ask Me of the things that are to come; Concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands, command ye Me.

ThomsonIt was I Who made the earth and man on it: it was I Who with My hand established the heaven: it was I Who gave direction to all the stars.

BrentonI have made the earth, and man upon it: I with my hand have established the heaven; I have given commandment to all the stars.

GreekἘγὼ ἐποίησα γῆν, καὶ ἄνθρωπον ἐπʼ αὐτῆς, ἐγὼ τῇ χειρί μου ἐστερέωσα τὸν οὐρανὸν, ἐγὼ πᾶσι τοῖς ἄστροις ἐνετειλάμην.

KJVI have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

JPSI, even I, have made the earth, And created man upon it; I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, And all their host have I commanded.

ThomsonIt was I Who have raised him up with righteousness to be king; and all his ways shall be straight. He shall rebuild this city of Mine, and send back the captives of this My people, not for ransom nor reward, said the Lord of Hosts.

BrentonI have raised him up to be a king with righteousness, and all his ways are right: he shall build my city, and shall turn the captivity of my people, not for ransoms, nor for rewards, saith the Lord of hosts.

GreekἘγὼ ἤγειρα αὐτὸν μετὰ δικαιοσύνης βασιλέα, καὶ πᾶσαι αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτοῦ εὐθεῖαι· οὗτος οἰκοδομήσει τὴν πόλιν μου, καὶ τὴν αἰχμαλωσίαν τοῦ λαοῦ μου ἐπιστρέψει, οὐ μετὰ λύτρων, οὐδὲ μετὰ δώρων, εἶπε Κύριος σαβαώθ.

KJVI have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

JPSI have roused him up in victory, And I make level all his ways; He shall build My city, And he shall let Mine exiles go free, Not for price nor reward, Saith the LORD of hosts.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord of Hosts: That for which Egypt laboured and the traffic of the Ethiopians, and the Sabeans men of tall stature shall come over to thee; and they shall be thy vassals and shall follow thee bound with chains. They will come over to thee and pay thee homage and pray to thee because God is in thee.

BrentonThus saith the Lord of hosts, Egypt has laboured for thee; and the merchandise of the Ethiopians, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall pass over to thee, and shall be thy servants; and they shall follow after thee bound in fetters, and shall pass over to thee, and shall do obeisance to thee, and make supplication to thee: because God is in thee; and there is no God beside thee, O Lord.

GreekΟὕτω λέγει Κύριος σαβαὼθ, ἐκοπίασεν Αἴγυπτος, καὶ ἐμπορία Αἰθιόπων, καὶ οἱ Σαβαεὶμ ἄνδρες ὑψηλοὶ ἐπὶ σὲ διαβήσονται, καὶ σοὶ ἔσονται δοῦλοι, καὶ ὀπίσω σου ἀκολουθήσουσι δεδεμένοι χειροπέδαις, καὶ διαβήσονται πρὸς σὲ, καὶ προσκυνήσουσί σοι, καὶ ἐν σοὶ προσεύξονται· ὅτι ἐν σοὶ ὁ Θεός ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι Θεὸς πλήν σου.

KJVThus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.

JPSThus saith the LORD: The labour of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine; They shall go after thee, in chains they shall come over; And they shall fall down unto thee, They shall make supplication unto thee: Surely God is in thee, and there is none else, There is no other God.

ThomsonFor Thou art God and we knew it. The God of Israel is a Saviour:

BrentonFor thou art God, yet we knew it not, the God of Israel, the Saviour.

GreekΣὺ γὰρ εἶ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ᾔδειμεν, ὁ Θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραὴλ σωρήρ.

KJVVerily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

JPSVerily Thou art a God that hidest Thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.

Thomsonlet all that oppose Him be ashamed and confounded and in shame let them march along.

BrentonAll that are opposed to him shall be ashamed and confounded, and shall walk in shame: ye isles, keep a feast to me.

GreekΑἰσχυνθήσονται καὶ ἐντραπήσονται πάντες οἱ ἀντικείμενοι αὐτῷ, καὶ πορεύσονται ἐν αἰσχύνῃ· ἐγκαινίζεσθε πρὸς μὲ νῆσοι.

KJVThey shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.

JPSThey shall be ashamed, yea, confounded, all of them; They shall go in confusion together that are makers of idols.

ThomsonDedicate yourselves to Me, ye islands! The Lord hath saved Israel with an everlasting salvation. They shall not be put to shame nor confounded any more forever.

BrentonIsrael is saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation: they shall not be ashamed nor confounded for evermore.

GreekἸσραὴλ σώζεται ὑπὸ Κυρίου σωτηρίαν αἰώνιον· οὐκ αἰσχυνθήσονται, οὐδὲ μὴ ἐντραπῶσιν ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος ἔτι.

KJVBut Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

JPSO Israel, that art saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; Ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord Who made the heaven, the same God Who displayed the earth to view, and Who, having made it, parcelled it out: He did not make it to be waste, but formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord and there is none else.

BrentonThus saith the Lord that made the heaven, this God that created the earth, and made it; he marked it out, he made it not in vain, but formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is none beside.

GreekΟὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ ποιήσας τὸν οὐρανὸν, οὗτος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ καταδείξας τὴν γῆν, καὶ ποιήσας αὐτὴν, αὐτὸς διώρισεν αὐτὴν, οὐκ εἰς κενὸν ἐποίησεν αὐτὴν, ἀλλὰ κατοικεῖσθαι ἔπλασεν αὐτὴν, ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι.

KJVFor thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.

JPSFor thus saith the LORD that created the heavens, He is God; That formed the earth and made it, He established it, He created it not to be empty or chaotic, He established it to be settled and inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is none else.

ThomsonI have not spoken in secret nor in an obscure part of the earth. I have not said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye a vain thing. I am The I Am, the Lord, Who speak righteousness and proclaim truth.

BrentonI have not spoken in secret, nor in a dark place of the earth: I said not to the seed of Jacob, Seek vanity: I, even I, am the Lord, speaking righteousness, and proclaiming truth.

GreekΟὐκ ἐν κρυφῇ λελάληκα, οὐδὲ ἐν τόπῳ γῆς σκοτεινῷ· οὐκ εἶπα τῷ σπέρματι Ἰακὼβ, μάταιον ζητήσατε· ἐγώ εἰμι ἐγώ εἰμι Κύριος ὁ λαλῶν δικαιοσύνην, καὶ ἀναγγέλλων ἀλήθειαν.

KJVI have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

JPSI have not spoken in secret, In a place of the land of darkness; I said not unto the seed of Jacob: ‘Seek ye Me in vain’; I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

ThomsonAssemble yourselves together and come; consult together ye who escape from among the nations. They are devoid of knowledge, who carry the wood—their carved image; and who pray to gods which cannot save them.

BrentonAssemble yourselves and come; take counsel together, ye that escape of the nations: they that set up wood, even their graven image, have no knowledge, nor they who pray to gods that do not save.

GreekΣυνάχθητε, καὶ ἥκετε, βουλεύσασθε ἅμα οἱ σωζόμενοι ἀπὸ τῶν ἐθνῶν· οὐκ ἔγνωσαν οἱ αἴροντες τὸ ξύλον γλύμμα αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ προσευχόμενοι πρὸς θεοὺς, οἳ οὐ σώζουσιν.

KJVAssemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.

JPSAssemble yourselves and come, draw near together, Ye that are escaped of the nations; They have no knowledge that carry the wood of their graven image, And pray unto a god that cannot save.

ThomsonIf they will proclaim, let them draw near and know at once who hath published these things from the beginning: then let them be announced to you. I am God and there is no other besides Me; a just God and a saviour besides Me there is none.

BrentonIf they will declare, let them draw nigh, that they may know together, who has caused these things to be heard from the beginning: then was it told you. I am God, and there is not another beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none but me.

GreekΕἰ ἀναγγελοῦσιν, ἐγγισάτωσαν, ἵνα γνῶσιν ἅμα, τίς ἀκουστὰ ἐποίησε ταῦτα ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς· τότε ἀνηγγέλη ὑμῖν· ἐγὼ ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος πλὴν ἐμοῦ· δίκαιος καὶ σωτὴρ, οὐκ ἔστι πάρεξ ἐμοῦ.

KJVTell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

JPSDeclare ye, and bring them near, Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath announced this from ancient time, And declared it of old? Have not I the LORD? And there is no God else beside Me, A just God and a Saviour; There is none beside Me.

ThomsonTurn to Me and ye shall be saved, ye from the farthest part of the earth, I am God and there is none else.

BrentonTurn ye to me, and ye shall be saved, ye that come from the end of the earth: I am God, and there is none other.

GreekἘπιστράφητε ἐπʼ ἐμὲ, καὶ σωθήσεσθε, οἱ ἀπʼ ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς· ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἄλλος.

KJVLook unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

JPSLook unto Me, and be ye saved, All the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is none else.

ThomsonBy Myself I swear (righteousness shall proceed from My mouth; My words shall not be reversed)

BrentonBy myself I swear, righteousness shall surely proceed out of my mouth; my words shall not be frustrated; that to me every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall swear by God,

GreekΚατʼ ἐμαυτοῦ ὀμνύω, εἰ μὴ ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ τοῦ στόματός μου δικαιοσύνη, οἱ λόγοι μου οὐκ ἀποστραφήσονται· Ὅτι ἐμοὶ κάμψει πᾶν γόνυ, καὶ ὀμεῖται πᾶσα γλῶσσα τὸν Θεὸν,

KJVI have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

JPSBy Myself have I sworn, The word is gone forth from My mouth in righteousness, And shall not come back, That unto Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall swear.

Thomsonthat to Me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear, with respect to God, saying, Righteousness and glory shall come to him, and all that make distinctions among them shall be ashamed.

Brentonsaying, Righteousness and glory shall come to him: and all that remove them from their borders shall be ashamed.

Greekλέγων, δικαιοσύνη καὶ δόξα πρὸς αὐτὸν ἥξει, καὶ αἰσχυνθήσονται πάντες οἱ διορίζοντες αὐτούς.

KJVSurely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.

JPS—

ThomsonOn account of the Lord they shall be acquitted; and in God all the seed of Israel will glory.

BrentonBy the Lord shall they be justified, and in God shall all the seed of the children of Israel be glorified.

GreekἈπὸ Κυρίου δικαιωθήσονται, καὶ ἐν τῷ Θεῷ ἐνδοξασθήσεται πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVIn the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

JPSIn the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.