English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
21 Set forth your case, says the LORD; bring your proofs, says the King of Jacob.
21
“Present your case,” says the LORD. “Set forth your arguments,” says Jacob’s King.
22 Let them bring them, and tell us what is to happen. Tell us the former things, what they are, that we may consider them, that we may know their outcome; or declare to us the things to come.
22
“Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,
23 Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified.
23
tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
24 Behold, you are nothing, and your work is less than nothing; an abomination is he who chooses you.
24
But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; whoever chooses you is detestable.
25 I stirred up one from the north, and he has come, from the rising of the sun, and he shall call upon my name; he shall trample on rulers as on mortar, as the potter treads clay.
25
“I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes— one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.
26 Who declared it from the beginning, that we might know, and beforehand, that we might say, "He is right"? There was none who declared it, none who proclaimed, none who heard your words.
26
Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, ‘He was right’? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.
27 I was the first to say to Zion, "Behold, here they are!" and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.
27
I was the first to tell Zion, ‘Look, here they are!’ I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good news.
28 But when I look, there is no one; among these there is no counselor who, when I ask, gives an answer.
28
I look but there is no one— no one among the gods to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them.
29 Behold, they are all a delusion; their works are nothing; their metal images are empty wind.
29
See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.