Isaiah 41:17–24

¹⁷The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none;

their tongues are parched with thirst.

I will answer them.^a

I am the Lord, the God of Israel. I will not abandon them.

¹⁸I will open rivers on the barren heights,^b

and springs in the middle of the plains.

I will turn the desert into a pool

and dry land into springs.^c

¹⁹I will plant cedar, acacia, myrtle, and olive trees

in the wilderness.^d

I will put juniper, elm, and cypress trees together

in the desert,

²⁰so that all may see and know,

consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,^e

the Holy One of Israel has created^f it.

²¹“Submit your case,” says the Lord.

“Present your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.

²²“Let them come and tell us

what will happen.^g

Tell us the past events,

so that we may reflect on them

and know the outcome,

or tell us the future.

²³Tell us the coming events,^h

then we will know that you are gods.

Indeed, do something good or bad,

then we will be in awe^B when we see it.

²⁴Look, you are nothingⁱ

and your work is worthless.

Anyone who chooses you is detestable.