12. I promised to save you,and I kept my promise.You are my witnessesthat no other god did this.I, the Lord, have spoken.
13. I am God now and for ever.No one can snatch you from meor stand in my way.
14. I, the Lord, will rescue you!I am Israel's holy God,and this is my promise:For your sake, I will sendan army against Babylonto drag its people away,crying as they go.
15. I am the Lord, your holy God,Israel's Creator and King.
16. I am the one who cut a paththrough the mighty ocean.
17. I sent an army to chase youwith chariots and horses;now they lie dead,unable to move.They are like an oil lampwith the flame snuffed out.
18. Forget what happened long ago!Don't think about the past.
19. I am creating something new.There it is! Do you see it?I have put roads in deserts,streams in thirsty lands.
20. Every wild animal honours me,even jackals and owls.I provide water in deserts—streams in thirsty landsfor my chosen people.
21. I made them my own nation,so they would praise me.
22. I, the Lord, said to Israel:You have become weary,but not from worshipping me.
23. You have not honoured meby sacrificing sheepor other animals.And I have not burdened youwith demands for sacrificesor sweet-smelling incense.