Study Desk

"Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming.

Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay.

Who has declared this from the beginning, so that we may know, and from times past, so that we may say: 'He was right'? No one announced it, no one foretold it, no one heard your words.

So He poured out on them His furious anger and the fierceness of battle. It enveloped them in flames, but they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.

All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Who among them have declared this, and foretold the former things? Let them present their witnesses to vindicate themselves, so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

"You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me, no god was formed, and none will come after Me.

I alone decreed and saved and proclaimed-I, and not some foreign god among you. So you are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.

So I will disgrace the princes of your sanctuary, and I will devote Jacob to destruction and Israel to reproach.

Who then is like Me? Let him say so! Let him declare his case before Me, since I established an ancient people. Let him foretell the things to come, and what is to take place.

All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or know anything, so they are put to shame.

They cannot comprehend or understand, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see, and closed their minds so they cannot understand.

This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut:

I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hidden riches of secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

so that all may know, from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, that there is none but Me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.

So now hear this, O lover of luxury, who sits securely, who says to herself, 'I am, and there is none besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.'

So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror!

You are wearied from your many counsels. So let them stand and save you-the astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate.

Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so you could not claim, 'My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.'

They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today, so you cannot claim, 'I already knew them!'