18
Give no thought to the things which are past; let the early times go out of your minds.
19
See, I am doing a new thing; now it is starting; will you not take note of it? I will even make a way in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country.
20
The beasts of the field will give me honour, the jackals and the ostriches: because I send out waters in the waste land, and rivers in the dry country, to give drink to the people whom I have taken for myself:
21
Even the people whom I made to be the witnesses of my praise.
22
But you have made no prayer to me, O Jacob: and you have given no thought to me, O Israel.
23
You have not made me burned offerings of sheep, or given me honour with your offerings of beasts; I did not make you servants to give me an offering, and I did not make you tired with requests for perfumes.
24
You have not got me sweet-smelling plants with your money, or given me pleasure with the fat of your offerings: but you have made me a servant to your sins, and you have made me tired with your evil doings.
25
I, even I, am he who takes away your sins; and I will no longer keep your evil doings in mind.
26
Put me in mind of this; let us take up the cause between us: put forward your cause, so that you may be seen to be in the right.
27
Your first father was a sinner, and your guides have gone against my word.
28
Your chiefs have made my holy place unclean, so I have made Jacob a curse, and Israel a thing of shame.