Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Declare what is to be, present it— let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. New Living Translation Consult together, argue your case. Get together and decide what to say. Who made these things known so long ago? What idol ever told you they would happen? Was it not I, the LORD? For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. English Standard Version Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Berean Standard Bible Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Berean Literal Bible Declare it and approach, even let them take counsel together: Who has reported this from of old, from that time having declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And there is no other God besides Me, and a righteous God bringing salvation there is none besides Me. King James Bible Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. New King James Version Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. New American Standard Bible “Declare and present your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this long ago? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. NASB 1995 “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. NASB 1977 “Declare and set forth your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has announced this from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Legacy Standard Bible Declare and draw near with your case; Indeed, let them consult together. Who has made this heard from of old? Who has long since declared it? Is it not I, Yahweh? And there is no other God besides Me, A righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Amplified Bible “Declare and present your defense of idols; Indeed, let them consult together. Who announced this [rise of Cyrus and his conquests] long before it happened? Who declared it long ago? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides Me, A [consistently and uncompromisingly] just and righteous God and a Savior; There is none except Me. Berean Annotated Bible Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD {YHWH}? There is no other God {Elohim} but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Christian Standard Bible Speak up and present your case — yes, let them consult each other. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except me. Holman Christian Standard Bible Speak up and present your case— yes, let them take counsel together. Who predicted this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, Yahweh? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is no one except Me. American Standard Version Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Jehovah? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me. Contemporary English Version "Why don't you get together and meet me in court? Didn't I tell you long ago what would happen? I am the only God! There are no others. I bring about justice, and have the power to save. English Revised Version Declare ye, and bring it forth; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath shewed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a saviour; there is none beside me. GOD'S WORD® Translation Speak and present your case. Yes, let them consult one another. Who revealed this in the distant past and predicted it long ago? Wasn't it I, the LORD? There is no other God except me. There is no other righteous God and Savior besides me. Good News Translation Come and present your case in court; let the defendants consult one another. Who predicted long ago what would happen? Was it not I, the LORD, the God who saves his people? There is no other god. International Standard Version Explain and present a case! Yes, let them take counsel together. Who announced this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides me, a righteous God and Savior; and there is none besides me. NET Bible Tell me! Present the evidence! Let them consult with one another! Who predicted this in the past? Who announced it beforehand? Was it not I, the LORD? I have no peer, there is no God but me, a God who vindicates and delivers; there is none but me. New Heart English Bible Declare and bring it forth. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who announced this from long ago, has told it from then? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one besides me. Webster's Bible Translation Tell ye, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else besides me; a just God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSpeak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. World English Bible Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is no one besides me. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionDeclare, and bring near, "" Indeed, they take counsel together, "" Who has proclaimed this from of old? [Who] has declared it from that time? Is it not I—YHWH? And there is no other god besides Me, "" A God righteous and saving, there is none except Me. Berean Literal Bible Declare it and approach, even let them take counsel together: Who has reported this from of old, from that time having declared it? Is it not I, YHWH? And there is no other God besides Me, and a righteous God bringing salvation there is none besides Me. Young's Literal Translation Declare ye, and bring near, Yea, they take counsel together, Who hath proclaimed this from of old? From that time hath declared it? Is it not I -- Jehovah? And there is no other god besides Me, A God righteous and saving, there is none save Me. Smith's Literal Translation Announce ye, and bring near; also ye shall take counsel together: who caused this to be heard from of old, from then announcing it? was it not I Jehovah? and no God more beside me; a just God and Saviour; none beside me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTell ye, and come, and consult together: who hath declared this from the beginning, who hath foretold this from that time? Have not I the Lord, and there is no God else besides me? A just God and a saviour, there is none besides me. Catholic Public Domain Version Announce it, and approach, and consult together. Who has caused this to be heard from the beginning, and who has foretold it from that time? Is it not I, the Lord? And is there some other god beside me? I am a just God who saves, and there is no one except me. New American Bible Come close and declare; let them take counsel together: Who announced this from the beginning, declared it from of old? Was it not I, the LORD, besides whom there is no other God? There is no just and saving God but me. New Revised Standard Version Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is no one besides me. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTell and draw near and consult together; who has declared this from ancient time? Was it not I, the LORD from the beginning? And there is no other God besides me; a just God and Saviour; there is none besides me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Show and approach and be counseled as one. Who has made this heard from former time, and from the beginning? I AM LORD JEHOVAH, and there is no other God outside of me, The righteous God and The Savior, and there is none outside of me OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Declare ye, and bring them near, Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath announced this from ancient time, And declared it of old? Have not I the LORD? And there is no God else beside Me, A just God and a Saviour; There is none beside Me. Brenton Septuagint Translation If they will declare, let them draw nigh, that they may know together, who has caused these things to be heard from the beginning: then was it told you. I am God, and there is not another beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none but me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God Calls Cyrus…20Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save. 21Speak up and present your case— yes, let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. 22Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.… Cross References Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. Isaiah 41:21-23 “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. / “Let them come and tell us what will happen. Tell the former things, so that we may reflect on them and know the outcome. Or announce to us what is coming. / Tell us the things that are to come, so that we may know that you are gods. Yes, do something good or evil, that we may look on together in dismay. Micah 6:1-2 Hear now what the LORD says: “Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. / Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel: Job 38:3 Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Who foretold this long ago? Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’ Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets. Deuteronomy 18:22 When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. Who announced it from ancient times? Isaiah 48:3-5 I foretold the former things long ago; they came out of My mouth and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. / For I knew that you are stubborn; your neck is iron and your forehead is bronze. / Therefore I declared it to you long ago; I announced it before it came to pass, so that you could not claim, ‘My idol has done this; my carved image and molten god has ordained it.’ Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He.” Psalm 90:2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. Was it not I, the LORD? Deuteronomy 32:39 See now that I am He; there is no God besides Me. I bring death and I give life; I wound and I heal, and there is no one who can deliver from My hand. Isaiah 43:11 I, yes I, am the LORD, and there is no Savior but Me. Hosea 13:4 Yet I am the LORD your God ever since the land of Egypt; you know no God but Me, for there is no Savior besides Me. There is no other God but Me, Isaiah 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel, the LORD of Hosts: “I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me. 1 Kings 8:60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other! Deuteronomy 4:35 You were shown these things so that you would know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides Him. a righteous God and Savior; Psalm 98:2-3 The LORD has proclaimed His salvation and revealed His righteousness to the nations. / He has remembered His love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Treasury of Scripture Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time? who has told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me. tell ye Psalm 26:7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Psalm 71:17,18 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works… Psalm 96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. and bring Isaiah 41:1-4 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment… who hath declared Isaiah 41:22,23 Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come… Isaiah 43:9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Isaiah 44:7,8 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them… and there is Isaiah 45:5,14,18 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: … Isaiah 44:8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. a just Isaiah 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. Isaiah 43:3,11 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee… Isaiah 63:1 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Jump to Previous Ancient Besides Counsel Declare Declared Forth Savior Shown Time TogetherJump to Next Ancient Besides Counsel Declare Declared Forth Savior Shown Time TogetherIsaiah 45 1. God calls Cyrus for his church's sake5. By his omnipotence he challenges obedience 20. He convinces the idols of vanity by his saving power Speak up and present your case—yes, let them take counsel together. This phrase is a divine challenge to the idols and false gods of the nations. It reflects the courtroom imagery often used by the prophets, where God calls the nations to present their arguments and defend their idols. This setting emphasizes God's sovereignty and the futility of idol worship. The call to "take counsel together" suggests a gathering of wisdom and strength, yet it underscores the inability of these false gods to deliver or predict the future. Who foretold this long ago? Who announced it from ancient times? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The central figure in this passage, Yahweh is declaring His unique sovereignty and role as the only true God and Savior. 2. The Nations Implicit in the call to "present your case" are the nations and their idols, which are being challenged by God to prove their divinity and power. 3. Isaiah The prophet through whom God is speaking, delivering a message of monotheism and divine sovereignty. 4. Ancient Times Refers to the historical context and the longstanding revelation of God’s plans and purposes. 5. Idols Though not mentioned explicitly in this verse, the context involves a contrast between the living God and the powerless idols of the nations. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize and affirm the sovereignty of God in all aspects of life. He alone is the ultimate authority and power. Monotheism Embrace the truth that there is only one God. This foundational belief should shape our worldview and interactions with others. God as Savior Trust in God alone for salvation. He is the only source of true deliverance and redemption. Challenge of Idolatry Examine personal and cultural idols that may compete for our allegiance and trust. Commit to removing these from our lives. Prophetic Fulfillment Appreciate the reliability of God's word as seen in fulfilled prophecy. This should strengthen our faith and confidence in His promises. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Isaiah 45:21?2. How does Isaiah 45:21 affirm God's sovereignty and uniqueness in your life today? 3. What does "no other God but Me" reveal about God's nature and authority? 4. How does Isaiah 45:21 connect with the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3? 5. How can you apply the truth of God's justice in your daily decisions? 6. In what ways does Isaiah 45:21 encourage you to trust God's righteous plan? 7. How does Isaiah 45:21 affirm the exclusivity of God in Christianity? 8. What historical context supports the prophecy in Isaiah 45:21? 9. How does Isaiah 45:21 challenge the belief in multiple deities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Isaiah 45? 11. Who else is a savior besides me? 12. What is Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights? 13. What is the purpose of the Egyptian Book of the Dead? 14. Proverbs 16:4 states God made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster—doesn’t this suggest a divine origin for evil, conflicting with the idea of a just and loving God? What Does Isaiah 45:21 Mean Speak up and present your caseGod throws down a challenge: “Speak up and present your case…” (Isaiah 45:21a). He invites the worshipers of idols to defend their gods. • Similar courtroom language appears in Isaiah 41:21–24, where idols must “produce your case” but are exposed as powerless. • Elijah’s showdown on Mount Carmel mirrors this call to accountability (1 Kings 18:20-40). God is saying, “If your gods are real, let’s hear their evidence.” The literal scene underscores His willingness to be examined while exposing the emptiness of false faiths. Yes, let them take counsel together The Lord even encourages collective strategy among the idolaters: “yes, let them take counsel together.” No amount of human collaboration can overcome divine truth (Psalm 2:1-4). Their united front will still collapse because it’s built on lies (Jeremiah 10:14-15). Who foretold this long ago? Prophecy becomes the acid test. Only the true God can predict history. • Isaiah 44:7 – God asks, “Who then is like Me? Let him proclaim it.” • John 13:19 – Jesus echoes the pattern: “I am telling you now… so that when it happens you will believe.” Fulfilled prophecy is God’s public credential, something idols can never match. Who announced it from ancient times? The Lord highlights that His declarations stretch back to “ancient times.” • Genesis 3:15 announced redemption centuries before Israel existed. • Micah 5:2 pinpointed Messiah’s birthplace long before the Roman census. The flow of centuries proves a single, sovereign Author weaving one storyline. Was it not I, the LORD? The self-identification “I, the LORD” (YHWH) ends all debate. • Exodus 3:14 – “I AM WHO I AM” grounds His eternal, self-existent nature. • Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is, and who was, and who is to come.” Because He alone is uncreated, His word stands unchallenged. There is no other God but Me, a righteous God and Savior Here the Lord blends exclusivity with grace. • Deuteronomy 32:39 – “There is no god besides Me.” • Acts 4:12 – “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Righteousness speaks to His moral perfection (Psalm 145:17). Savior unveils His heart to rescue (Isaiah 43:11). The two truths meet perfectly at the cross (Romans 3:25-26). There is none but Me The verse finishes where it began—absolute monotheism. • 1 Timothy 2:5 – “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” • Isaiah 46:9 – “I am God, and there is no other.” Every rival deity is silenced; every human heart is invited to abandon substitutes and trust the One true Lord. Summary Isaiah 45:21 is God’s open courtroom where idols are subpoenaed and exposed. The Lord alone foretells history, rules eternity, upholds perfect righteousness, and offers sure salvation. Because “there is none but Me,” confidence, worship, and hope belong exclusively to Him. (21) Tell ye, and bring them near.--Yet another challenge to the idols and their worshippers.A just God and a Saviour.--Stress is laid on the union of the two attributes which in human actions are often thought incompatible. (Comp. Psalm 85:10.) In virtue of that union the invitation of Isaiah 45:22 is addressed to all the ends of the world. The offer of salvation is universal. Verse 21. - Tell ye, and bring them near. Dr. Kay and Mr. Cheyne understand the nations to be addressed, and told to "show" or "announce," and "bring forth" or "produce," any argument in favour of the divinity of their gods. But it is simpler and better, with our translators, to regard the address as made to the prophets of God, who are bidden to announce his message of mercy to the nations, and to bring them near to him (comp. Isaiah 40:1). Let them take counsel together; i.e. let the nations consider one with another, whether God or the idols be the fitter object of worship. Who hath declared this? "This" must refer to the conquest of Babylon and deliverance of Israel by Cyrus. None but Jehovah had ever announced this - none but he could bring it to pass. From ancient time; rather, from aforetime (Cheyne). The announcement cannot have been made very long before this prophecy was delivered. A just God and a Saviour. A God in whom "mercy and truth meet together, righteousness and peace kiss each other" (Psalm 85:16); who can be at once just, "acting stringently according to the demands of his holiness" (Delitzsch), and yet design and effect the salvation of sinners.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Speak upהַגִּ֣ידוּ (hag·gî·ḏū) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous and present your case— וְהַגִּ֔ישׁוּ (wə·hag·gî·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach yes, אַ֥ף (’ap̄) Conjunction Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though let them take counsel יִֽוָּעֲצ֖וּ (yiw·wā·‘ă·ṣū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve together. יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw) Adverb Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly Who מִ֣י (mî) Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix foretold הִשְׁמִיעַ֩ (hiš·mî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently this זֹ֨את (zōṯ) Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, long ago? מִקֶּ֜דֶם (miq·qe·ḏem) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time Who announced it הִגִּידָ֗הּ (hig·gî·ḏāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous from ancient times? מֵאָ֣ז (mê·’āz) Preposition-m | Adverb Strong's 227: At that time, place, therefore Was it not הֲל֨וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no I, אֲנִ֤י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I the LORD? יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel There is no וְאֵֽין־ (wə·’ên-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle other ע֤וֹד (‘ō·wḏ) Adverb Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more God אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative but Me, מִבַּלְעָדַ֔י (mib·bal·‘ā·ḏay) Preposition-m | first person common singular Strong's 1107: Apart from, except, without a righteous צַדִּ֣יק (ṣad·dîq) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous God אֵֽל־ (’êl-) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty and Savior; וּמוֹשִׁ֔יעַ (ū·mō·wō·šî·a‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor there is none אַ֖יִן (’a·yin) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle but Me. זוּלָתִֽי׃ (zū·lā·ṯî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 2108: Scattering, removal, except Links Isaiah 45:21 NIVIsaiah 45:21 NLT Isaiah 45:21 ESV Isaiah 45:21 NASB Isaiah 45:21 KJV Isaiah 45:21 BibleApps.com Isaiah 45:21 Biblia Paralela Isaiah 45:21 Chinese Bible Isaiah 45:21 French Bible Isaiah 45:21 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Isaiah 45:21 Declare and bring it forth (Isa Isi Is) |
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