18 For this is what the Lord says—

the Creator of the heavens,

the God who formed the earth and made it,

the one who established it

(he did not create it to be a wasteland,

but formed it to be inhabited)ac—

he says, “I am the Lord,

and there is no other.

19 I have not spoken in secret,a

somewhere in a land of darkness.

I did not say to the descendants of Jacob:

Seek me in a wasteland.b

I am the Lord, who speaks righteously,c

who declares what is right.

20 “Come, gather together,

and approach, you fugitives of the nations.

Those who carry their wooden idols

and pray to a god who cannot saved

have no knowledge.e

21 Speak up and present your caseA,f—

yes, let them consult each other.

Who predicted this long ago?

Who announced it from ancient times?

Was it not I, the Lord?

There is no other God but me,

a righteous God and Savior;g

there is no one except me.h

22 Turn to me and be saved,

all the ends of the earth.

For I am God,

and there is no other.