3 “I will give water to the thirsty landand make streams flow on the dry ground.I will pour out my spirit on your childrenand my blessing on your descendants.
4 They will thrive like well-watered grass,like willows by streams of running water.
5 “One by one, people will say, ‘I am the Lord's.’They will come to join the people of Israel.They each will mark the name of the Lord on their armsand call themselves one of God's people.”
6 The Lord, who rules and protects Israel,the Lord Almighty, has this to say:“I am the first, the last, the only God;there is no other god but me.
7 Could anyone else have done what I did?Who could have predicted all that would happenfrom the very beginning to the end of time?
8 Do not be afraid, my people!You know that from ancient times until nowI have predicted all that would happen,and you are my witnesses.Is there any other god?Is there some powerful god I never heard of?”
9 All those who make idols are worthless, and the gods they prize so highly are useless. Those who worship these gods are blind and ignorant—and they will be disgraced.