6. This is what the Lord, Israel’s king, says,their protector, the Lord who commands armies:“I am the first and I am the last,there is no God but me.
7. Who is like me? Let him make his claim!Let him announce it and explain it to me – since I established an ancient people – let them announce future events!
8. Don’t panic! Don’t be afraid!Did I not tell you beforehand and decree it?You are my witnesses! Is there any God but me?There is no other sheltering rock; I know of none.
9. All who form idols are nothing;the things in which they delight are worthless.Their witnesses cannot see;they recognize nothing, so they are put to shame.
10. Who forms a god and casts an idolthat will prove worthless?
11. Look, all his associates will be put to shame;the craftsmen are mere humans.Let them all assemble and take their stand!They will panic and be put to shame.
12. A blacksmith works with his tooland forges metal over the coals.He forms it with hammers;he makes it with his strong arm.He gets hungry and loses his energy;he drinks no water and gets tired.
13. A carpenter takes measurements;he marks out an outline of its form;he scrapes it with chisels,and marks it with a compass.He patterns it after the human form,like a well-built human being,and puts it in a shrine.