Isaiah 42:14-21

14 "I've been quiet long enough. I've held back, biting my tongue. But now I'm letting loose, letting go, like a woman who's having a baby -
15 Stripping the hills bare, withering the wildflowers, Drying up the rivers, turning lakes into mudflats.
16 But I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. I'll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don't fall into the ditch. These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute."
17 But those who invested in the no-gods are bankrupt - dead broke. You've Seen a Lot, but Looked at Nothing
18 Pay attention! Are you deaf? Open your eyes! Are you blind?
19 You're my servant, and you're not looking! You're my messenger, and you're not listening! The very people I depended upon, servants of God, blind as a bat - willfully blind!
20 You've seen a lot, but looked at nothing. You've heard everything, but listened to nothing.
21 God intended, out of the goodness of his heart, to be lavish in his revelation.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.