Isaiah 41
1“Keep silent before me, islands, 2 and let the peoples renew their strength. 1 Let them come near, 2 then let them speak. 2 Let’s meet together for judgment. 1
2Who has raised up one from the east? 2 Who called him to his foot in righteousness? 2 He hands over nations to him, 2 and makes him rule over kings. 2 He gives them like the dust to his sword, 2 like the driven stubble to his bow. 1
3He pursues them, 2 and passes by safely, 2 Even by a way that he had not gone with his feet. 1
4Who has worked and done it, 2 calling the generations from the beginning? 2 I, Adonai, am the first א (Aleph), and I am the same with those are the last ת (Tav), I am + 41:4. Quoted in Rev 1:8, 1:17, 21:6, 22:13 he.” 1
5The islands have seen, and fear. 2 The ends of the earth tremble. 2 They approach, and come. 1
6Everyone helps his neighbor. 2 They say to their brothers, “Be strong!” 1
7So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. 2 He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, 2 saying of the soldering, “It is good;” 2 and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter. 1
8“But you, Israel [God prevails], my servant, 2 Jacob [Supplanter] whom I have chosen, 2 the offspring of Abraham [Father of a multitude] my 'ahav ·affectionate lover, friend·, + 41:8. Quoted in James 2:23 2
9You whom I have taken hold of + 41:9. (8-9) Quoted in Heb 2:16 from the ends of the earth, 2 and called from its corners, 2 and said to you, ‘You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you away;’ 1
10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. 2 Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. 2 I will strengthen you. 2 Yes, I will help you. 2 Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. 1
11Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. 2 Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish. 1
12You will seek them, and won’t find them, 2 even those who contend with you. 2 Those who war against you will be as nothing, 2 as a non-existent thing. 1
13For I, Adonai your God, will hold your right hand, 2 saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. 2 I will help you.’ 1
14Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob [Supplanter], 2 and you men of Israel [God prevails]. 2 I will help you,” says Adonai, 2 “and your Redeemer is haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails]. 1
15Behold, I have made you into a new sharp threshing instrument with teeth. 2 You will thresh the mountains, 2 and beat them small, 2 and will make the hills like chaff. 1
16You will winnow them, 2 and the wind will carry them away, 2 and the whirlwind will scatter them. 1 You will rejoice in Adonai. 2 You will glory in haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails]. 1
17The poor and needy seek water, and there is none. 2 Their tongue fails for thirst. 1 I, Adonai, will answer them. 2 I, the God of Israel [God prevails], will not forsake them. 1
18I will open rivers on the bare heights, 2 and springs in the middle of the valleys. 2 I will make the wilderness a pool of water, 2 and the dry land springs of water. 1
19I will put cedar, acacia, myrtle, and oil trees in the wilderness. 2 I will set cypress trees, pine, and box trees together in the desert; 2
20that they may see, know, consider, and understand together, 2 that Adonai’s hand has done this, 2 and haKadosh Isra'el [the Holy One of God prevails] has created it. 1
21Produce your cause,” says Adonai. 2 “Bring out your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob [Supplanter]. 1
22“Let them announce, and declare to us what shall happen. 2 Declare the former things, what they are, 2 that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; 2 or sh'ma ·hear obey· unto us things to come. 1
23Declare the things that are to come hereafter, 2 that we may know that you are deities. 1 Yes, do good, or do evil, 2 that we may be dismayed, 2 and see it together. 1
24Behold, you are of nothing, 2 and your work is of nothing. 2 He who chooses you is an abomination. 1
25“I have raised up one from the north, and he has come; 2 from the rising of the sun, one who calls on my name; 2 and he shall come on rulers as on mortar, 2 and as the potter treads clay. 1
26Who has declared it from the beginning, that we may know? 2 And before, that we may say, ‘He is right?’ 1 Surely, there is no one who declares. 2 Surely, there is no one who sh'ma ·hears obeys, declares·. 2 Surely, there is no one who sh'ma ·hears obeys· your words. 1
27I am the first to say to Zion [Mountain ridge, Marking], ‘Behold, look at them;’ 2 and I will give one who brings good news to Jerusalem [City of peace]. 1
28When I look, there is no man; 2 even among them there is no counselor who, when I ask of them, can answer a word. 1
29Behold, all of them, their deeds are vain striving of iniquity and nothing. 2 Their molten images are wind and confusion.