⁹ See, the former things have come to pass,
    and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
    I tell you of them.^(A)

⁷ Who is like me? Let them proclaim it;
    let them declare and set it forth before me.
Who has announced from of old the things to come?^[a]
    Let them tell us^[b] what is yet to be.^(A)

⁸ Do not fear or be afraid;
    have I not told you from of old and declared it?
    You are my witnesses!
Is there any god besides me?
    There is no other rock; I know not one.^(A)

³ I will give you the treasures of darkness
    and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who call you by your name.^(A)

⁵ Their idols^[a] are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,
    and they cannot speak;
they have to be carried,
    for they cannot walk.
Do not be afraid of them,
    for they cannot do evil,
    nor is it in them to do good.^(A)