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.

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