Hidden Beauty

¹ The LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom I have grasped by the strong hand, to conquer nations before him, disarming kings, and opening doors before him, so no gates will be shut: ² I myself will go before you, and I will level mountains. I will shatter bronze doors; I will cut through iron bars. ³ I will give you hidden treasures of secret riches, so you will know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name. ⁴ For the sake of my servant Jacob and Israel my chosen, I called you by name. I gave you an honored title, though you didn’t know me. ⁵ I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides me there is no God. I strengthen you though you don’t know me ⁶ so all will know, from the rising of the sun to its setting, that there is nothing apart from me. I am the LORD; there’s no other. ⁷ I form light and create darkness, make prosperity and create doom; I am the LORD, who does all these things.