7. These things are happening now, not long ago.You have not heard about them before today.So you cannot say, ‘We already knew about that.’
8. But you have not heard me. You have not understood.Even long ago you did not listen to me.I knew you would surely turn against me.You have fought against me since you were born.
9. But for my own sake I will be patient.People will praise me for not becoming angryand destroying you.
10. I have made you pure, but not by fire, as silver is made pure.I have purified you by giving you troubles.
11. I do this for myself, for my own sake.I will not let people speak evil against me.I will not let some false god take my glory.
12. “People of Jacob, listen to me.People of Israel, I have called you to be my people.I am God.I am the beginning and the end.
13. I made the earth with my own hands.With my right hand I spread out the skies.When I call them,they come together before me.