Listen to me, distant nations, you people who live far away! Before I was born, the LORD chose me and appointed me to be his servant.

"Stop fighting," he says, "and know that I am God, supreme among the nations, supreme over the world."

The LORD is in his holy Temple; let everyone on earth be silent in his presence.

Be silent, everyone, in the presence of the LORD, for he is coming from his holy dwelling place.

The skilled workers help and encourage each other.

The carpenter says to the goldsmith, 'Well done!' The one who beats the idol smooth encourages the one who nails it together. They say, 'The soldering is good'--- and they fasten the idol in place with nails.

The LORD, the king of Israel, has this to say: "You gods of the nations, present your case. Bring the best arguments you have!

Come here and predict what will happen, so that we will know it when it takes place. Explain to the court the events of the past, and tell us what they mean.

Gather together in fear, you nations! Listen, you distant parts of the earth. Get ready to fight, but be afraid! Yes, get ready, but be afraid!

Make your plans! But they will never succeed. Talk all you want to! But it is all useless, because God is with us.

Now stand up straight and answer the questions I ask you.

Now stand up straight and answer my questions.

Hammer the points of your plows into swords and your pruning knives into spears. Even the weak must fight.

Hurry and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather in the valley.' " Send down, O LORD, your army to attack them!

The LORD says, "Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

How I wish I knew where to find him, and knew how to go where he is.

I want to know what he would say and how he would answer me.

I am honest; I could reason with God; he would declare me innocent once and for all.

Will no one listen to what I am saying? I swear that every word is true. Let Almighty God answer me. If the charges my opponent brings against me were written down so that I could see them,

I would wear them proudly on my shoulder and place them on my head like a crown.

Are you trying to prove that I am unjust--- to put me in the wrong and yourself in the right?

If so, stand up in your honor and pride; clothe yourself with majesty and glory.

Listen to the LORD's case against Israel. Arise, O LORD, and present your case; let the mountains and the hills hear what you say.

The LORD says, "My people, what have I done to you? How have I been a burden to you? Answer me.