1 Be silent and listen,every island in the sea.Have courage and come near,every one of you nations.Let's settle this matter!
2 Who appointed this rulerfrom the east?Who puts nations and kingsin his power?His sword and his arrowsturn them to dustblown by the wind.
3 He goes after them so quicklythat his feetbarely touch the ground—he doesn't even get hurt.
4 Who makes these things happen?Who controls human events?I do! I am the Lord.I was there at the beginning;I will be there at the end.
5 Islands and foreign nationssaw what I did and trembledas they came near.
6 Worshippers of idolscomfort each other,saying, “Don't worry!”
7 Woodcarvers, goldsmiths,and other workersencourage one another and say,“We've done a great job!”Then they nail the idol down,so it won't fall over.
8 Israel, you are my servant.I chose you, the familyof my friend Abraham.
9 From far across the earthI brought you here and said,“You are my chosen servant.I haven't forgotten you.”
10 Don't be afraid. I am with you.Don't tremble with fear.I am your God.I will make you strong,as I protect you with my armand give you victories.
11 Everyone who hates youwill be terribly disgraced;those who attackwill vanish into thin air.
12 You will look aroundfor those brutal enemies,but you won't find thembecause they will be gone.
13 I am the Lord your God.I am holding your hand,so don't be afraid.I am here to help you.
14 People of Israel, don't worry,though others may say,“Israel is only a worm!”I am the holy God of Israel,who saves and protects you.
15 I will let you be like a logcovered with sharp spikes.You will grind and crushevery mountain and hilluntil they turn to dust.
16 A strong wind will scatter themin all directions.Then you will celebrateand praise me, your Lord,the holy God of Israel.
17 When the poor and needyare dying of thirstand cannot find water,I, the Lord God of Israel,will come to their rescue.I won't forget them.
18 I will make rivers flowon mountain peaks.I will send streamsto fill the valleys.Dry and barren landwill flow with springsand become a lake.
19 I will fill the desertwith all kinds of trees—cedars, acacias, and myrtles;olive and cypress trees;fir trees and pines.
20 Everyone will see thisand know that I,the holy Lord God of Israel,created it all.
21 I am the Lord,the King of Israel!Come, argue your case with me.Present your evidence.
22 Come near me, you idols.Tell us about the past,and we will think about it.Tell us about the future,so we will knowwhat is going to happen.
23 Prove that you are godsby making your predictionscome true.Do something good or evil,so we can be amazedand terrified.
24 You idols are nothing,and you are powerless.To worship youwould be disgusting.
25 I, the Lord, appointed a rulerin the north;now he comes from the eastto honour my name.He tramples kings like mud,as potters trample clay.
26 Did any of you idols predictwhat would happen?Did any of you get it right?None of you told about thisor even spoke a word.
27 I was the first to tellthe people of Jerusalem,“Look, it's happening!”I was the one who announcedthis good news to Zion.
28 None of these idolsare able to give adviceor answer questions.
29 They are nothing,and they can do nothing—they are lessthan a passing breeze.