Isaiah 40:18–31

^18*To whom can God be compared?

How can you describe what he is like?

^19*He is not like an idol that workmen make,

that metalworkers cover with gold

and set in a base of silver.

²⁰The man who cannot afford silver or gold^l

chooses wood that will not rot.

He finds a skilful craftsman

to make an image that won’t fall down.

²¹Do you not know?

Were you not told long ago?

Have you not heard how the world began? ²²It was made by the one who sits on his throne

above the earth and beyond the sky;

the people below look as tiny as ants.

He stretched out the sky like a curtain,

like a tent in which to live.

²³He brings down powerful rulers

and reduces them to nothing.

²⁴They are like young plants,

just set out and barely rooted.

When the Lord sends a wind,

they dry up and blow away like straw.

²⁵To whom can the holy God be compared?

Is there anyone else like him?

²⁶Look up at the sky!

Who created the stars you see?

The one who leads them out like an army,

he knows how many there are

and calls each one by name!

His power is so great—

not one of them is ever missing!

²⁷Israel, why then do you complain

that the Lord doesn’t know your troubles

or care if you suffer injustice?

²⁸Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The Lord is the everlasting God;

he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary.

No one understands his thoughts.

²⁹He strengthens those who are weak and tired.

³⁰Even those who are young grow weak;

young people can fall exhausted.

³¹But those who trust in the Lord for help

will find their strength renewed.

They will rise on wings like eagles;

they will run and not get weary;

they will walk and not grow weak.