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.
29. They are nothing,and they can do nothing—they are lessthan a passing breeze.