Isaiah 45:13

Good News Translation

I myself have stirred Cyrus to action to fulfill my purpose and put things right. I will straighten out every road that he travels. He will rebuild my city, Jerusalem, and set my captive people free. No one has hired him or bribed him to do this." The Lord Almighty has spoken.

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
I have stirred him up in righteousness,and will level all roads for him.He will rebuild my city,and set my exiles free,not for a price or a bribe,”says the Lord of Armies.

Hebrew Names Version
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says the LORD of Hosts.

King James Version
I 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.

English Standard Version
I have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways level; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the Lord of hosts.

New American Standard Bible
"I have stirred him in righteousness, And I will make all his ways smooth. He will build My city and let My exiles go free, Without any payment or reward," says the LORD of armies.

New Century Version
I will bring Cyrus to do good things, and I will make his work easy. He will rebuild my city and set my people free without any payment or reward. The Lord All-Powerful says this."

Amplified Bible
"I have stirred up Cyrus and put him into action in righteousness [to accomplish My purpose] And I will make all his ways smooth; He will build My city and let My exiles go, Without any payment or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

World English Bible
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says Yahweh of Hosts.

Geneva Bible (1587)
I haue raised him vp in righteousnesse, and I will direct all his wayes: he shall build my citie, and he shall let goe my captiues, not for price nor rewarde, saith the Lord of hostes.

Legacy Standard Bible
I have awakened him in righteousness,And I will make all his ways smooth;He will build My city and will let My exiles go,Without any payment or reward," says Yahweh of hosts.

Berean Standard Bible
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward," says the LORD of Hosts.

Contemporary English Version
I have done the right thing by placing Cyrus in power, and I will make the roads easy for him to follow. I am the Lord All-Powerful! Cyrus will rebuild my city and set my people free without being paid a thing. I, the Lord , have spoken.

Complete Jewish Bible
I am stirring up Koresh to righteousness, I am smoothing out all his paths. He will rebuild my city; and he will free my exiles, taking neither ransom nor bribe," says Adonai -Tzva'ot.

Darby Translation
It is I that have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Easy-to-Read Version
I was right to give power to Cyrus, and I will make his work easy. He will rebuild my city, and he will set my people free without bribes or payment." The Lord All-Powerful said this.

George Lamsa Translation
I have stirred man up in righteousness, and I will make smooth all his ways; he shall build my city and shall send my exiles back, not for a price nor for a bribe, says the LORD of hosts.

Lexham English Bible
I myself have stirred him up in righteousness, and I will make all his paths smooth. He himself shall build my city, and he shall set my exiles free, not for price or a gift," says Yahweh of hosts.

Literal Translation
I raised him up in righteousness, and have made straight all his ways. He shall build My city, and he will release My captives; not for price, nor for reward, says Jehovah of Hosts.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I shal wake him vp with rightuousnesse, and ordre all his wayes. He shal buylde my cite, & let out my prisoners: & that nether for gift nor rewardes, saieth the LORDE of hoostes.

American Standard Version
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Bible in Basic English
I have sent him out to overcome the nations, and I will make all his ways straight: I will give him the work of building my town, and he will let my prisoners go free, without price or reward, says the Lord of armies.

JPS Old Testament (1917)
I 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.

King James Version (1611)
I haue raised him vp in righteousnesse, and I will direct all his wayes: he shall build my citie, and hee shall let goe my captiues, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I shall wake hym vp with righteousnesse, and order all his wayes: He shall buylde my citie, and let out my prisoners, and that neither for gyftes nor rewardes saith the Lorde of hoastes.

Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
I 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.

English Revised Version
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Y reiside hym to riytfulnesse, and Y schal dresse alle hise weies; he schal bilde my citee, and he schal delyuere my prisoneris, not in prijs, nether in yiftis, seith the Lord of oostis.

Update Bible Version
I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let my exiles go free, not for price nor reward, says Yahweh of hosts.

Webster's Bible Translation
I 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.

New English Translation
It is me—I stir him up and commission him; I will make all his ways level. He will rebuild my city; he will send my exiled people home, but not for a price or a bribe," says the Lord who commands armies.

New King James Version
I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward," Says the LORD of hosts.

New Living Translation
I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people— without seeking a reward! I, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, have spoken!"

New Life Bible
I have sent Cyrus to do what is right and good. And I will make all his ways smooth. He will build My city and without any money will set My people free who were taken away," says the Lord of All.

New Revised Standard
I have aroused Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his paths straight; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward, says the Lord of hosts.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I, have roused him up in righteousness, And all his roads, will I level, - He, shall build my city, And my captives, shall he let go, Not for price, nor for bribe, Saith Yahweh of hosts.

Douay-Rheims Bible
I have raised him up to justice, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and let go my captives, not for ransom, nor for presents, saith the Lord the God of hosts.

Revised Standard Version
I have aroused him in righteousness, and I will make straight all his ways; he shall build my city and set my exiles free, not for price or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

Young's Literal Translation
I have stirred him up in righteousness, And all his ways I make straight, He doth build My city, and My captivity doth send out, Not for price, nor for bribe, said Jehovah of Hosts.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"I have aroused him in righteousness And I will make all his ways smooth; He will build My city and will let My exiles go free, Without any payment or reward," says the LORD of hosts.

Contextual Overview

¹¹ The Lord , the holy God of Israel, the one who shapes the future, says: "You have no right to question me about my children or to tell me what I ought to do! ¹² I am the one who made the earth and created human beings to live there. By my power I stretched out the heavens; I control the sun, the moon, and the stars. ¹³ I myself have stirred Cyrus to action to fulfill my purpose and put things right. I will straighten out every road that he travels. He will rebuild my city, Jerusalem, and set my captive people free. No one has hired him or bribed him to do this." The Lord Almighty has spoken. ¹⁴ The Lord says to Israel, "The wealth of Egypt and Ethiopia will be yours, and the tall men of Seba will be your slaves; they will follow you in chains. They will bow down to you and confess, ‘God is with you—he alone is God. ¹⁵ The God of Israel, who saves his people, is a God who conceals himself. ¹⁶ Those who make idols will all be ashamed; all of them will be disgraced. ¹⁷ But Israel is saved by the Lord , and her victory lasts forever; her people will never be disgraced.'" ¹⁸ The Lord created the heavens— he is the one who is God! He formed and made the earth— he made it firm and lasting. He did not make it a desolate waste, but a place for people to live. It is he who says, "I am the Lord , and there is no other god. ¹⁹ I have not spoken in secret or kept my purpose hidden. I did not require the people of Israel to look for me in a desolate waste. I am the Lord , and I speak the truth; I make known what is right."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

raised him: Isaiah 45:1-6, Isaiah 41:2, Isaiah 41:25, Isaiah 46:11, Isaiah 48:14, Isaiah 48:15

in righteousness: Isaiah 42:6, Psalms 65:5

direct: or, make straight, Isaiah 45:1, Isaiah 45:2

he shall build: Isaiah 44:28, Isaiah 52:5, 2 Chronicles 36:22, 2 Chronicles 36:23, Ezra 1:3-11

let go: Isaiah 49:25, Isaiah 52:2, Isaiah 52:3, Romans 3:24-26, 1 Peter 1:18, 1 Peter 1:19

price: Isaiah 13:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 7:16 - Let my Ezra 1:2 - he hath charged Isaiah 14:17 - opened not the house of his prisoners Isaiah 42:22 - are hid Micah 4:10 - there shalt Luke 4:18 - to preach deliverance

Cross-References

Genesis 45:10
You can live in the region of Goshen, where you can be near me—you, your children, your grandchildren, your sheep, your goats, your cattle, and everything else that you have.

Genesis 45:12
Joseph continued, "Now all of you, and you too, Benjamin, can see that I am really Joseph.

John 17:24
"Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

Acts 7:14
So Joseph sent a message to his father Jacob, telling him and the whole family, seventy-five people in all, to come to Egypt.

Revelation 21:23
The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God shines on it, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I have raised him up in righteousness,.... Though this may be said with some respect to Cyrus, yet chiefly to Christ, of whom Cyrus was a type; him the Lord appointed and determined to be the Saviour and Redeemer of his people; him he sent forth in time for that purpose, in righteousness or faithfulness to concerning him: or, "unto righteousness" s, as the Vulgate Latin version; to bring in an everlasting righteousness for the justification of his people: or, "with righteousness", as the Septuagint version is t:

I have raised him up a King with righteousness; a righteous King, a King that reigns in righteousness, as Christ does, and better agrees with him than Cyrus; see Jeremiah 23:5:

and I will direct all his ways; or "make them plain" u; remove all difficulties and obstructions out of his way; he shall succeed and prosper, as the "pleasure of the Lord did prosper" in the hands of Christ; God being at his right hand as man and Mediator, to direct, counsel, and assist him, and to make him successful:

he shall build my city; not Cyrus, for he did not build the city of Jerusalem, whatever orders he might give for it, Isaiah 44:28 though his proclamation only mentions the temple, Ezra 1:2, but Christ, the builder of the church, often compared to a city, and called the city of God, of which the saints are fellow citizens; and which is built by Christ, upon himself the Rock, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail, Matthew 16:18:

and he shall let go my captives, not for price, nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts; the Lord's people are captives to sin, Satan, and the law; Christ has not only redeemed these captives, but has proclaimed liberty to them, and delivered them from their bondage by his Spirit and grace; and all this freely, not through any merits of theirs, but of his own rich grace and mercy; and though they are redeemed with a price; yet not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ; and whatever their redemption and freedom cost him, it costs them nothing, it is to them without money and without price,

Isaiah 52:3.

s בצדק "adjustitiam", V. L. t μετα δικαιοσυνης, Sept. "cum justitia", Forerius. u אישר "aequabo", Piscator; "aequaturus", Junius Tremellius "rectificabo", Vatablus; "rectificabam", Cocceius; "aequas faciam", Vitringa.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I have raised him up - That is. Cyrus (see the notes at Isaiah 41:2).

In righteousness - In Isaiah 41:2, he is called ‘the righteous man.’ He had raised him up to accomplish his own righteous plans. It does not necessarily mean that Cyrus was a righteous man (see the notes at Isaiah 41:2).

And I will direct all his ways - Margin, ‘Make straight.’ This is the meaning of the Hebrew word (see the notes at Isaiah 40:4). The sense here is, I will make his paths all smooth and level, that is, whatever obstacles are in his way I will remove, and give him eminent success.

He shall build my city - Jerusalem. See Ezra 1:2, where, in his proclamation, Cyrus says, ‘Jehovah, God of heaven, hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.’ It is very probable that Cyrus was made acquainted with these predictions of Isaiah. Nothing would be more natural than that the Jews in Babylon, when he should become master of the city, knowing that he was the monarch to whom Isaiah referred, and that he had been raised up for their deliverance, should acquaint him with these remarkable prophecies, and show him that God bad long before designated aim to accomplish this great work (compare the notes at Isaiah 44:28).

And he shall let go my captives - Hebrew, ‘My captivity,’ or ‘my migration;’ that is, those of his people who were in captivity.

Not for price - They shall not be purchased of him as slaves, nor shall they be required to purchase their own freedom. They shall be sent away as freemen, and no price shall be exacted for their ransom (compare Isaiah 52:3). The Jews in Babylon were regarded as captives in war, and therefore as slaves.

Nor for reward - The Hebrew word used here (שׁחד shochad) denotes properly that which is given to conciliate the favor of others, and hence, often a bribe. Here it means, that nothing should be given to Cyrus for their purchase, or to induce him to set them at liberty. He should do it of his own accord. It was a fact that he not only released them, but that he endowed them with rich arid valuable gifts, to enable them to restore their temple and city Ezra 1:7-11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Isaiah 45:13. I have raised him up — This evidently refers to Cyrus, and to what he did for the Jews; and informs us by whom he was excited to do it.