4
For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze.
5
Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, ‘My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’
6
You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.
7
They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, ‘Yes, I knew of them.’
8
You have neither heard nor understood; from of old your ears have not been open. Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth.
9
For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.
10
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
11
For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
Israel Freed
12 “Listen to me, Jacob, Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first and I am the last.
13
My own hand laid the foundations of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together.
14
“Come together, all of you, and listen: Which of the idols has foretold these things? The LORD’s chosen ally will carry out his purpose against Babylon; his arm will be against the Babylonians.