3. For I will pour water on the parched groundand cause streams to flow on the dry land.I will pour my spirit on your offspringand my blessing on your children.
4. They will sprout up like a tree in the grass,like poplars beside channels of water.
5. One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord,’and another will use the name ‘Jacob.’One will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’and use the name ‘Israel.’”
6. This is what the Lord, Israel’s king, says,their protector, the Lord who commands armies:“I am the first and I am the last,there is no God but me.
7. Who is like me? Let him make his claim!Let him announce it and explain it to me – since I established an ancient people – let them announce future events!
8. Don’t panic! Don’t be afraid!Did I not tell you beforehand and decree it?You are my witnesses! Is there any God but me?There is no other sheltering rock; I know of none.
9. All who form idols are nothing;the things in which they delight are worthless.Their witnesses cannot see;they recognize nothing, so they are put to shame.
10. Who forms a god and casts an idolthat will prove worthless?
11. Look, all his associates will be put to shame;the craftsmen are mere humans.Let them all assemble and take their stand!They will panic and be put to shame.
12. A blacksmith works with his tooland forges metal over the coals.He forms it with hammers;he makes it with his strong arm.He gets hungry and loses his energy;he drinks no water and gets tired.
13. A carpenter takes measurements;he marks out an outline of its form;he scrapes it with chisels,and marks it with a compass.He patterns it after the human form,like a well-built human being,and puts it in a shrine.
14. He cuts down cedarsand acquires a cypress or an oak.He gets trees from the forest;he plants a cedar and the rain makes it grow.
15. A man uses it to make a fire;he takes some of it and warms himself.Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread.Then he makes a god and worships it;he makes an idol and bows down to it.