19. I will make trees grow in the desert—cedars, acacia, myrtle, and olive trees.I will put pine, fir, and cypress treesgrowing together in the desert.
20. People will see these things and understand;they will think carefully about these things and learnthat the Lord’s power did this,that the Holy One of Israel made these things.”
21. The Lord says, “Present your case.”The King of Jacob says, “Tell me your arguments.
22. Bring in your idols to tell uswhat is going to happen.Have them tell us what happened in the beginning.Then we will think about these things,and we will know how they will turn out.Or tell us what will happen in the future.
23. Tell us what is coming nextso we will believe that you are gods.Do something, whether it is good or bad,and make us afraid.
24. You gods are less than nothing;you can’t do anything.Those who worship you should be hated.
25. “I have brought someone to come out of the northI have called by name a man from the east, and he knows me.He walks on kings as if they were mud,just as a potter walks on the clay.
26. Who told us about this before it happened?Who told us ahead of time so we could say, ‘He was right’?None of you told us anything;none of you told us before it happened;no one heard you tell about it.
27. I, the Lord, was the first one to tell Jerusalem that the people were coming home.I sent a messenger to Jerusalem with the good news.
28. I look at the idols, but there is not one that can answer.None of them can give advice;none of them can answer my questions.