Chapter 41
1 " Keep silent before me , islands, and let the peoples renew their strength . Let them come near , then let them speak . Let’s meet together for judgement.
2 Who has raised up one from the east ? Who called him to his feet in righteousness ? He hands over nations to him and makes him rule over kings . He gives them like the dust to his sword , like the driven stubble to his bow .
3 He pursues them and passes by safely , even by a way that he had not gone with his feet .
4 Who has worked and done it , calling the generations from the beginning ? I , the LORD , the first , and with the last , I am he ."
5 The islands have seen , and fear . The ends of the earth tremble . They approach , and come .
6 Everyone helps his neighbour . They say to their brothers, "Be strong !"
7 So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith . He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil , saying of the soldering , " It is good ;" and he fastens it with nails , that it might not totter .
8 " But you , Israel , my servant , Jacob whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend,
9 you whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from its corners , and said to you , ‘ You are my servant . I have chosen you and have not cast you away .’
10 Don’t you be afraid , for I am with you . Don’t be dismayed , for I am your God. I will strengthen you . Yes , I will help you . Yes , I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness .
11 Behold , all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded . Those who strive with you will be like nothing , and shall perish.
12 You will seek them , and won’t find them , even those who contend with you . Those who war against you will be as nothing , as a nonexistent thing.
13 For I , the LORD your God , will hold your right hand , saying to you , ‘Don’t be afraid . I will help you .’
14 Don’t be afraid , you worm Jacob , and you men of Israel . I will help you ," says the LORD . " Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel .
15 Behold , I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth . You will thresh the mountains , and beat them small , and will make the hills like chaff .
16 You will winnow them , and the wind will carry them away , and the whirlwind will scatter them . You will rejoice in the LORD . You will glory in the Holy One of Israel .
17 The poor and needy seek water , and there is none . Their tongue fails for thirst . I , the LORD , will answer them . I , the God of Israel , will not forsake them .
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights , and springs in the middle of the valleys . I will make the wilderness a pool of water , and the dry land springs of water .
19 I will put cedar, acacia , myrtle , and oil trees in the wilderness . I will set cypress trees , pine , and box trees together in the desert ;
20 that they may see , know , consider , and understand together , that the LORD ’s hand has done this , and the Holy One of Israel has created it .
21 Produce your cause ," says the LORD . " Bring out your strong reasons!" says the King of Jacob .
22 " Let them announce and declare to us what will happen ! Declare the former things , what they are , that we may consider them , and know the latter end of them ; or show us things to come .
23 Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods. Yes , do good , or do evil , that we may be dismayed , and see it together .
24 Behold , you are nothing, and your work is nothing. He who chooses you is an abomination .
25 " I have raised up one from the north , and he has come, from the rising of the sun , one who calls on my name , and he shall come on rulers as on mortar , and as the potter treads clay .
26 Who has declared it from the beginning , that we may know ? and before , that we may say, ‘ He is right ’? Surely , there is no one who declares . Surely , there is no one who shows. Surely , there is no one who hears your words.
27 I am the first to say to Zion , ‘ Behold , look at them ;’ and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem .
28 When I look , there is no man , even amongst them there is no counsellor who , when I ask , can answer a word .
29 Behold , all of their deeds are vanity and nothing . Their molten images are wind and confusion .