21 “Submit your case,” says the Lord.
“Present your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.
22 “Let them come and tell us
what will happen.(A)
Tell us the past events,
so that we may reflect on them
and know the outcome,
or tell us the future.
23 Tell us the coming events,(B)
then we will know that you are gods.
Indeed, do something good or bad,
then we will be in awe[a] and perceive.
24 Look, you are nothing(C)
and your work is worthless.
Anyone who chooses you is detestable.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 41:23 DSS read we may hear

21 “Present your legal case,” says Yahweh.
    “Bring your evidence,” says the king of Jacob.
22 Let them bring them,
    and let them tell us what will happen.
Tell us what the former things are
    so that[a] we may take them to our heart
        and know their outcome.[b]
Declare to us the things to come;
23     tell us the things coming hereafter,[c]
        that[d] we may know that you are gods.
Indeed, do good or[e] do evil,
    that[f] we may be afraid and see[g] together.
24 Look! you are nothing,
    and your work is something worthless;
        whoever chooses you is an abomination.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 41:22 Or “And”
  2. Isaiah 41:22 Or “end”
  3. Isaiah 41:23 Literally “later”
  4. Isaiah 41:23 Or “and”
  5. Isaiah 41:23 Or “and”
  6. Isaiah 41:23 Or “and”
  7. Isaiah 41:23 Following the reading tradition (Qere); the written text (Kethib) has “fear”