17. God thinks of the nationsas far less than nothing.
18. Who compares with God?Is anything like him?
19. Is an idol at all like God?It is made of bronzewith a thin layer of gold,and decorated with silver.
20. Or special wood may be chosenbecause it doesn't rot—then skilled handstake care to make an idolthat won't fall on its face.
21. Don't you know?Haven't you heard?Isn't it clear that Godcreated the world?
22. God is the one who rulesthe whole earth,and we who live hereare merely insects.He spread out the heavenslike a curtain or an open tent.
23. God brings down rulersand turns them into nothing.
24. They are like flowersfreshly sprung upand starting to grow.But when God blows on them,they wilt and are carried offlike straw in a storm.
25. The holy God asks,“Who compares with me?Is anyone my equal?”
26. Look at the evening sky!Who created the stars?Who gave them each a name?Who leads them like an army?The Lord is so powerfulthat none of the starsare ever missing.
27. You people of Israel, say,“God pays no attention to us!He doesn't care if weare treated unjustly.”But how can you say that?
28. Don't you know?Haven't you heard?The Lord is the eternal God,Creator of the earth.He never gets weary or tired;his wisdom cannot be measured.
29. The Lord gives strengthto those who are weary.