So a strong nation will extol you; the towns of powerful nations will fear you.

It is trampled underfoot by the feet of the oppressed, by the soles of the poor.”

O Lord, our God, masters other than you have ruled us, but we praise your name alone.

Indeed, they will hear meaningless gibberish, senseless babbling, a syllable here, a syllable there.

For with mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.

Or when they hand the scroll to one who can’t read and say, “Read this,” he says, “I can’t read.”

A fool will no longer be called honorable; a deceiver will no longer be called principled.

Your plunder disappears as if locusts were eating it; they swarm over it like locusts!

Let the desert and dry region be happy; let the wilderness rejoice and bloom like a lily!

This is what the king says: ‘Don’t let Hezekiah mislead you, for he is not able to rescue you!

They were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered, “Don’t respond to him.”

All the nations are insignificant before him; they are regarded as absolutely nothing.

A craftsman casts an idol; a metalsmith overlays it with gold and forges silver chains for it.

Look, you are nothing, and your accomplishments are nonexistent; the one who chooses to worship you is disgusting.

You see many things, but don’t comprehend; their ears are open, but do not hear.”

The Lord wanted to exhibit his justice by magnifying his law and displaying it.

I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake; your sins I do not remember.

Israel will be delivered once and for all by the Lord; you will never again be ashamed or humiliated.

To whom can you compare and liken me? Tell me whom you think I resemble, so we can be compared!

Look, I have inscribed your name on my palms; your walls are constantly before me.