Isaiah 45:1

“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘Yahweh, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

For He has shattered the doors of bronze And cut through the bars of iron.

Lift up a standard on the bare hill, Heighten your voice at them, Wave the hand that they may enter the doors of the nobles.

“Who has awakened one from the east Whom He calls in righteousness to His feet? He gives up nations before him And has dominion over kings. He makes them like dust with his sword, As the wind-driven chaff with his bow.

“For I am Yahweh your God, who strongly takes hold of your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’

“I am Yahweh, I have called You in righteousness; I will also take hold of You by the hand and guard You, And I will give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,

“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd! And all My good pleasure he will complete.’ And saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built,’ And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”

“I, even I, have spoken; indeed I have called him, I have brought him, and He will make his ways successful.

and you will say to them, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold, I am going to send and get Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and I am going to set his throne right over these stones that I have hidden; and he will spread his canopy over them.

The mighty men of Babylon have ceased fighting; They inhabit the strongholds; Their might is dried up; They are becoming like women; Their dwelling places are set on fire; The bars of her gates are broken.

Thus says Yahweh of hosts, “The broad wall of Babylon will be completely razed, And her high gates will be set on fire; So the peoples will toil for nothing, And the nations become weary only for fire.”

“I have given him the land of Egypt for his work which he labored because they acted for Me,” declares Lord Yahweh.

‘For I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put My sword in his hand; and I will break the arms of Pharaoh so that he will groan before him with the groanings of a wounded man.

“‘PERES’—your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.”

Behold, your people are women in your midst! The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies; Fire consumes your gate bars.

Cyrus, Yahweh’s Anointed