3. For I will pour water on the thirsty land,and streams on the dry ground;I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,and my blessing on your descendants.
4. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams.
5. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’another will call on the name of Jacob,and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’and name himself by the name of Israel.”
6. Thus says the Lord, the King of Israeland his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last;besides me there is no god.
7. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.Let him declare and set it before me,since I appointed an ancient people.Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8. Fear not, nor be afraid;have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me?There is no Rock; I know not any.”
9. All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame.
10. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?
11. Behold, all his companions shall be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all assemble, let them stand forth. They shall be terrified; they shall be put to shame together.
12. The ironsmith takes a cutting tool and works it over the coals. He fashions it with hammers and works it with his strong arm. He becomes hungry, and his strength fails; he drinks no water and is faint.
13. The carpenter stretches a line; he marks it out with a pencil. He shapes it with planes and marks it with a compass. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with the beauty of a man, to dwell in a house.
14. He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it.
15. Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it.
16. Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!”