16. Then I will lead the blind along a way they never knew.I will guide them along paths they have not known.I will make the darkness become light for them.And I will make the rough ground smooth.These are the things I will do.I will not leave my people.
17. But some people trust in idols.They say to their statues,‘You are our gods.’Those people will be rejected in disgrace.
18. “You who are deaf, hear me.You who are blind, look and see.
19. No one is more blind than my servant Israel.The messenger I send is the most deaf.No one is more blind than the person I own.No one is more blind than the servant of the Lord.
20. Israel, you have seen much, but you have not obeyed.You have heard, but you refuse to listen.”
21. The Lord made his teachings wonderful.He did this because he is good.
22. These people have been defeated and robbed.They are trapped in pits.They are locked up in prison.Like robbers, enemies have taken them away.There is no one to save them.Enemies carried them off.And no one said, “Bring them back.”
23. Will any of you listen to this?Will you listen carefully in the future?
24. Who let the people of Jacob be carried off?Who let robbers take Israel away?The Lord allowed this to happenbecause we sinned against him.We did not live the way the Lord wanted us to live.We did not obey his teaching.
25. So the Lord became very angry with us.He brought terrible wars against us.It was as if the people of Israel had fire all around them.But they didn’t know what was happening.It was as if they were burning.But they didn’t pay any attention.