Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel ... I am the first ... besides me there is no God. Here follows an argument for Yahweh, as the only God, and against the idols, as vanity (see notes, Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 43:10-12).