Isaiah 41:1-29 CEV

[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 ruler from the east? Who puts nations and kings in his power? His sword and his arrows turn them to dust blown by the wind. [3] He goes after them so quickly that his feet barely 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 nations saw what I did and trembled as they came near. [6] Worshipers of idols comfort each other, saying, "Don't worry!" [7] Woodcarvers, goldsmiths, and other workers encourage 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 family of my friend Abraham. [9] From far across the earth I 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 arm and give you victories. [11] Everyone who hates you will be terribly disgraced; those who attack will vanish into thin air. [12] You will look around for those brutal enemies, but you won't find them because 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 log covered with sharp spikes. You will grind and crush every mountain and hill until they turn to dust. [16] A strong wind will scatter them in all directions. Then you will celebrate and praise me, your LORD, the holy God of Israel. [17] When the poor and needy are dying of thirst and cannot find water, I, the LORD God of Israel, will come to their rescue. I won't forget them. [18] I will make rivers flow on mountain peaks. I will send streams to fill the valleys. Dry and barren land will flow with springs and become a lake. [19] I will fill the desert with all kinds of trees- cedars, acacias, and myrtles; olive and cypress trees; fir trees and pines. [20] Everyone will see this and 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 know what is going to happen. [23] Prove that you are gods by making your predictions come true. Do something good or evil, so we can be amazed and terrified. [24] You idols are nothing, and you are powerless. To worship you would be disgusting. [25] I, the LORD, appointed a ruler in the north; now he comes from the east to honor my name. He tramples kings like mud, as potters trample clay. [26] Did any of you idols predict what would happen? Did any of you get it right? None of you told about this or even spoke a word. [27] I was the first to tell the people of Jerusalem, "Look, it's happening!" I was the one who announced this good news to Zion. [28] None of these idols are able to give advice or answer questions. [29] They are nothing, and they can do nothing- they are less than a passing breeze.