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 logcovered with sharp spikes.You will grind and crushevery mountain and hilluntil they turn to dust.
16. A strong wind will scatter themin all directions.Then you will celebrateand praise me, your Lord,the holy God of Israel.
17. When the poor and needyare dying of thirstand cannot find water,I, the Lord God of Israel,will come to their rescue.I won't forget them.
18. I will make rivers flowon mountain peaks.I will send streamsto fill the valleys.Dry and barren landwill flow with springsand become a lake.
19. I will fill the desertwith all kinds of trees—cedars, acacias, and myrtles;olive and cypress trees;fir trees and pines.
20. Everyone will see thisand 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 knowwhat is going to happen.
23. Prove that you are godsby making your predictionscome true.Do something good or evil,so we can be amazedand terrified.
24. You idols are nothing,and you are powerless.To worship youwould be disgusting.
25. I, the Lord, appointed a rulerin the north;now he comes from the eastto honour my name.He tramples kings like mud,as potters trample clay.
26. Did any of you idols predictwhat would happen?Did any of you get it right?None of you told about thisor even spoke a word.
27. I was the first to tellthe people of Jerusalem,“Look, it's happening!”I was the one who announcedthis good news to Zion.
28. None of these idolsare able to give adviceor answer questions.