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.
18. Oh, that you had listened to my commands!Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle riverand righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.
19. Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—too many to count!There would have been no need for your destruction,or for cutting off your family name.”
20. Yet even now, be free from your captivity!Leave Babylon and the Babylonians.Sing out this message!Shout it to the ends of the earth!The lord has redeemed his servants,the people of Israel.
21. They were not thirstywhen he led them through the desert.He divided the rock,and water gushed out for them to drink.
22. “But there is no peace for the wicked,”says the lord.