Isaiah 41:1–9

The Lord versus the Nations’ Gods

41 “Be silent before Me, islands! l

And let peoples renew their strength.

Let them approach, then let them testify;

let us come together for the trial.

2 Who has stirred him up from the east? m

He calls righteousness to his feet. n o

The Lord hands nations over to him, p

and he subdues kings.

He makes them like dust with his sword,

like wind-driven stubble with his bow.

3 He pursues them, going on safely,

hardly touching the path with his feet.

4 Who has performed and done this,

calling the generations from the beginning?

I, * Yahweh, am the first,

and with the last q—I am He.” r

5 The islands see and are afraid,

the whole earth trembles. s

They approach and arrive.

6 Each one helps the other,

and says to another, “Take courage!”

7 The craftsman encourages the metalworker; t

the one who flattens with the hammer

supports the one who strikes the anvil,

saying of the soldering, “It is good.”

He fastens it with nails so that it will not fall over. u

8 But you, Israel, My servant, v

Jacob, whom I have chosen, w

descendant of Abraham, My friend x—

9 I brought y you from the ends of the earth

and called you from its farthest corners.

I said to you: You are My servant;

I have chosen you and not rejected you. z