17 But Israel will be saved by the Lord,and that salvation will continue forever.Never again will Israel be put to shame.
18 The Lord created the heavens.He is the God who formed the earth and made it.He did not want it to be empty,but he wanted life on the earth.This is what the Lord says:“I am the Lord. There is no other God.
19 I did not speak in secretor hide my words in some dark place.I did not tell the family of Jacobto look for me in empty places.I am the Lord, and I speak the truth;I say what is right.
20 “You people who have escaped from other nations,gather together and come before me;come near together.People who carry idols of wood don’t know what they are doing.They pray to a god who cannot save them.
21 Tell these people to come to me.Let them talk about these things together.Who told you long ago that this would happen?Who told about it long ago?I, the Lord, said these things.There is no other God besides me.I am the only good God. I am the Savior.There is no other God.
22 “All people everywhere,follow me and be saved.I am God. There is no other God.
23 I will make a promise by my own power,and my promise is true;what I say will not be changed.I promise that everyone will bow before meand will promise to follow me.