1. “And now listen, Jacob My servant,Israel whom I have chosen.
2. This is the word of the Lordyour Maker who formed you from the womb;He will help you:Do not fear; Jacob is My servant;I have chosen Jeshurun.
3. For I will pour water on the thirsty landand streams on the dry ground;I will pour out My Spirit on your descendantsand My blessing on your offspring.
4. They will sprout among the grasslike poplars by flowing streams.
5. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s’;another will call himself by the name of Jacob;still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’and name himself by the name of Israel.”
6. This is what the Lord, the King of Israel and its Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, says:I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but Me.
7. Who, like Me, can announce the future?Let him say so and make a case before Me, since I have established an ancient people.Let these gods declare the coming things,and what will take place.
8. Do not be startled or afraid.Have I not told you and declared it long ago?You are my witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no other Rock; I do not know any.
9. All who make idols are nothing,and what they treasure does not profit.Their witnesses do not see or know anything,so they will be put to shame.
10. Who makes a god or casts a metal imagefor no profit?
11. Look, all its worshipers will be put to shame,and the craftsmen are humans.They all will assemble and stand;they all will be startled and put to shame.
12. The ironworker labors over the coals,shapes the idol with hammers,and works it with his strong arm.Also he grows hungry and his strength fails;he doesn’t drink water and is faint.
13. The woodworker stretches out a measuring line,he outlines it with a stylus;he shapes it with chiselsand outlines it with a compass.He makes it according to a human likeness, like a beautiful person,to dwell in a temple.
14. He cuts down cedars for his use,or he takes a cypress or an oak.He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest.He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.
15. It serves as fuel for man.He takes some of it and warms himself;also he kindles a fire and bakes bread;he even makes it into a god and worships it;he makes an idol from it and bows down to it.
16. He burns half of it in a fire,and he roasts meat on that half.He eats the roast and is satisfied.He warms himself and says, “Ah!I am warm, I see the blaze.”
17. He makes a god or his idol with the rest of it.He bows down to it and worships;He prays to it, “Save me, for you are my god.”