Murmurs against Cyrus rebuked

9 Woe unto him who strives with his maker –

a potsherd no better than earthen potsherd.

Does the clay say to the potter,

‘What thing is this that you make?’

Does the vessel he wrought exclaim,

‘What a heartless person you are!’

10 Woe to the son who says,

‘Sirem what is this you beget?’

Or ‘Mother, what bring you forth?’

11 Thus says the (true) God, the Lord,

Israel’s maker and Holy One:

would you ask me of things to come,

or command me as touching my handiwork?

12 It was I – the maker of earth,

the creator of man upon it,

whose hands stretched out the heavens,

and on all their host laid charge –

13 it was I who of purpose aroused him,

and all his ways I smooth:

he it is who will build my city,

and set my exiles free;

yet neither for price nor reward.

Thus says the Lord of Hosts.