Isaiah 42:14–21

14 The Lord says, “For a long time I have kept silent.

I have been calm and quiet.

But now, like a woman having a baby,

I cry out. I am struggling to breathe.

15 I will completely destroy the mountains and hills.

I will dry up everything that grows there.

I will turn rivers into dry land.

I will dry up the pools.

16 Israel is blind.

So I will lead them along paths

they had not known before.

I will guide them on roads they are not familiar with.

I will turn the darkness into light as they travel.

I will make the rough places smooth.

Those are the things I will do.

I will not desert my people.

17 Some people trust in statues of gods.

They say to them, ‘You are our gods.’

But they will be dishonored.

They will be put to shame.

Israel Can’t See or Hear

18 “Israel, listen to me! You can hear,

but you do not understand.

Look to me! You can see,

but you do not know what you are seeing.

19 The people of Israel serve me. But who is more blind than they are?

Who is more deaf than the messengers I send?

Who is more blind than those who have committed themselves to be faithful to me?

Who is more blind than my servants?

20 Israel, you have seen many things.

But you have not paid any attention to me.

Your ears are open.

But you do not hear anything I say.”

21 The Lord wanted his people to see

how great and glorious his law is.

He wanted to show them

that he always does what is right.