8–13  Get the blind and deaf out here and ready—

the blind (though there’s nothing wrong with their eyes)

and the deaf (though there’s nothing wrong with their ears).

Then get the other nations out here and ready.

Let’s see what they have to say about this,

how they account for what’s happened.

Let them present their expert witnesses

and make their case;

let them try to convince us what they say is true.

“But you are my witnesses.” God’s Decree.

“You’re my hand-picked servant

So that you’ll come to know and trust me,

understand both that I am and who I am.

Previous to me there was no such thing as a god,

nor will there be after me.

I, yes I, am God.

I’m the only Savior there is.

I spoke, I saved, I told you what existed

long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene.

And you know it, you’re my witnesses,

you’re the evidence.” God’s Decree.

“Yes, I am God.

I’ve always been God

and I always will be God.

No one can take anything from me.

I make; who can unmake it?”