²¹ “Present your case,^(A)” says the Lord.
    “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.^(B)
22 “Tell us, you idols,
    what is going to happen.^(C)
Tell us what the former things^(D) were,
    so that we may consider them
    and know their final outcome.
Or declare to us the things to come,^(E)
23     tell us what the future holds,
    so we may know^(F) that you are gods.
Do something, whether good or bad,^(G)
    so that we will be dismayed^(H) and filled with fear.
²⁴ But you are less than nothing^(I)
    and your works are utterly worthless;^(J)
    whoever chooses you is detestable.^(K)

²⁵ “I have stirred^(L) up one from the north,^(M) and he comes—
    one from the rising sun who calls on my name.
He treads^(N) on rulers as if they were mortar,
    as if he were a potter treading the clay.
²⁶ Who told of this from the beginning,^(O) so we could know,
    or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’?
No one told of this,
    no one foretold^(P) it,
    no one heard any words^(Q) from you.
²⁷ I was the first to tell^(R) Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’
    I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.^(S)
28 I look but there is no one^(T)—
    no one among the gods to give counsel,^(U)
    no one to give answer^(V) when I ask them.
²⁹ See, they are all false!
    Their deeds amount to nothing;^(W)
    their images^(X) are but wind^(Y) and confusion.