1. People of Israel,you come from Jacob's familyand the tribe of Judah.You claim to worship me,the Lord God of Israel,but you are lying.
2. You call Jerusalem your homeand say you depend on me,the Lord All-Powerful,the God of Israel.
3. Long ago I announcedwhat was going to be,then without warning,I made it happen.
4. I knew you were stubbornand hard-headed.
5. And I told you these things,so that when they happenedyou would not say,“The idols we worship did this.”
6. You heard what I said,and you have seen it happen.Now admit that it's true!I will show you secretsyou have never known.
7. Today I am doing something new,something you cannot sayyou have heard before.
8. You have never been willingto listen to what I say;from the moment of your birth,I knew you would rebel.
9. I, the Lord, am true to myself;I will be praised for not punishingand destroying you.
10. I tested you in hard timesjust as silver is refinedin a heated furnace.
11. I did this because of who I am.I refuse to be dishonouredor share my praisewith any other god.
12. Israel, my chosen people,listen to me.I alone am the Lord,the first and the last.
13. With my own handI created the earthand stretched out the sky.They obey my every command.
14. Gather around me, all of you!Listen to what I say.Did any of your idolspredict this would happen?Did they say that my friendwould do what I want doneto Babylonia?
15. I was the one who chose him.I have brought him this far,and he will be successful.
16. Come closer and listen!I have never kept secretthe things I have said,and I was herebefore time began.By the power of his Spiritthe Lord God has sent me
17. with this message:People of Israel,I am the holy Lord God,the one who rescues you.For your own good,I teach you, and I lead youalong the right path.
18. How I wish that youhad obeyed my commands!Your success and good fortunewould then have overflowedlike a flooding river.
19. Your nation would be blessedwith more peoplethan there are grains of sandalong the seashore.And I would never have letyour country be destroyed.
20. Now leave Babylon!Celebrate as you go.Be happy and shoutfor everyone to hear,“The Lord has rescuedhis servant Israel!
21. He led us through the desertand made water flow from a rockto satisfy our thirst.
22. But the Lord has promisedthat none who are evilwill live in peace.”