2. even though you call yourself the holy cityand talk about depending on the God of Israel,whose name is the lord of Heaven’s Armies.
3. Long ago I told you what was going to happen.Then suddenly I took action,and all my predictions came true.
4. For I know how stubborn and obstinate you are.Your necks are as unbending as iron.Your heads are as hard as bronze.
5. That is why I told you what would happen;I told you beforehand what I was going to do.Then you could never say, ‘My idols did it.My wooden image and metal god commanded it to happen!’
6. You have heard my predictions and seen them fulfilled,but you refuse to admit it.Now I will tell you new things,secrets you have not yet heard.
7. They are brand new, not things from the past.So you cannot say, ‘We knew that all the time!’
8. “Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new,things you never heard of before.For I know so well what traitors you are.You have been rebels from birth.
9. Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name,I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out.
10. I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.
11. I will rescue you for my sake—yes, for my own sake!I will not let my reputation be tarnished,and I will not share my glory with idols!
12. “Listen to me, O family of Jacob,Israel my chosen one!I alone am God,the First and the Last.
13. It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth,my right hand that spread out the heavens above.When I call out the stars,they all appear in order.”
14. Have any of your idols ever told you this?Come, all of you, and listen:The lord has chosen Cyrus as his ally.He will use him to put an end to the empire of Babylonand to destroy the Babylonian armies.
15. “I have said it: I am calling Cyrus!I will send him on this errand and will help him succeed.
16. Come closer, and listen to this.From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen.”And now the Sovereign lord and his Spirithave sent me with this message.
17. This is what the lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:“I am the lord your God,who teaches you what is good for youand leads you along the paths you should follow.