4. They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.
5. “One man will call himself, ‘I am the Lord’S.’ Another will use the name, ‘Jacob.’ Another man will sign his name as ‘The Lord’S Hand.’ And another will use the name, ‘Israel.’”
6. The Lord is the king of Israel. The Lord All-Powerful is the one who will set Israel free. And he says, “I am the only God. There are no other gods. I am the Beginning and the End.
7. There is no other God like me. If there is, that god should speak now. Let him lay out everything he has done since the time I made these ancient people. Let him show me the signs he gave long ago that prove he knew what would happen in the future.
8. “Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry. I am the one who always told you what would happen. You are my proof. There is no other God; I am the only one. There is no other ‘Rock’; I know I am the only one.”
9. Some people make idols, but they are worthless. They love their statues, which are useless. Those who serve as witnesses for these statues cannot even see. They don’t know enough to be ashamed.
10. Who made these false gods? Who covered these useless statues?
11. Workers made them, and the workers are only human. If they all would come together before me, we could discuss this. Then they would all be ashamed and afraid.