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)

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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”