Isaiah

¹ you who are called by the name Israel: Who got you started in the loins of Judah, you who use God's name to back up your promises and pray to the God of Israel? But do you mean it? Do you live like it?

² you act as though you lean on the God of Israel, named God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

³ I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that.

⁴ obstinate and flint-faced,

⁵ what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, 'My god-idol did this.' 'My favorite god-carving commanded this.'

⁶ confirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn't you be talking about it? And that was just the beginning. I have a lot more to tell you, things you never knew existed.

⁷ This is new, brand-new, something you'd never guess or dream up. When you hear this you won't be able to say, 'I knew that all along.'

⁸ You have a history of ignoring me, A sorry track record of fickle attachments— rebels from the womb.

⁹ because of who I am, I keep a tight rein on my anger and hold my temper. I don't wash my hands of you.

¹⁰ I've refined you, but not without fire. I've tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.

¹¹ I have my reputation to keep up. I'm not playing second fiddle to either gods or people.

¹² I'm the One who named you! I'm the One. I got things started and, yes, I'll wrap them up.

¹³ And the skies—I made them too, horizon to horizon. When I speak, they're on their feet, at attention.

¹⁴ Who among the gods has delivered the news? I, God, love this man Cyrus, and I'm using him to do what I want with Babylon.

¹⁵ I've brought him here. He'll be successful.

¹⁶ I've never kept secrets from you. I've always been present with you." And now, the Master, God, sends me and his Spirit

¹⁷ your Redeemer, The Holy of Israel: "I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.

¹⁸ your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves from the sea.

¹⁹ your progeny like grains of sand. There would be no end of them, no danger of losing touch with me."

²⁰ Shout the news. Broadcast it. Let the world know, the whole world. Tell them, "God redeemed his dear servant Jacob!"

²¹ He made water pour out of the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed.

²² "There is no peace," says God, "for the wicked."