The Lord versus the Nations’ Gods

41 “Be silent before me, coasts and islands!(A)
And let peoples renew their strength.
Let them approach; let them testify;
let’s come together for the trial.
Who has stirred up someone from the east?(B)
In righteousness he calls him to serve.[a][b](C)
The Lord hands nations over to him,(D)
and he subdues kings.
He makes them like dust with his sword,
like wind-driven stubble with his bow.
He pursues them, going on safely,
hardly touching the path with his feet.
Who has performed and done this,
calling the generations from the beginning?
I am the Lord, the first
and with the last(E)—I am he.”(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 41:2 Or Righteousness calls him to serve
  2. 41:2 Lit to his foot

Israel Assured of God’s Help

41 Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
    let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
    let us together draw near for judgment.(A)

Who has roused a victor from the east,
    summoned him to his service?
He delivers up nations to him
    and tramples kings under foot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
    like driven stubble with his bow.(B)
He pursues them and passes on safely,
    scarcely touching the path with his feet.
Who has performed and done this,
    calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am first
    and will be with the last.(C)

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