18. Do not [earnestly] remember the former things; neither consider the things of old.
19. Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
20. The beasts of the field honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen, [Isa. 41:17, 18; 48:21.]
21. The people I formed for Myself, that they may set forth My praise [and they shall do it].
22. Yet you have not called upon Me [much less toiled for Me], O Jacob; but you have been weary of Me, O Israel!
23. You have not brought Me your sheep and goats for burnt offerings, or honored Me with your sacrifices. I have not required you to serve with an offering or treated you as a slave by demanding tribute or wearied you with offering incense.
24. You have not bought Me sweet cane with money, or satiated Me with the fat of your sacrifices. But you have only burdened Me with your sins; you have wearied Me with your iniquities.
25. I, even I, am He Who blots out and cancels your transgressions, for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26. Put Me in remembrance [remind Me of your merits]; let us plead and argue together. Set forth your case, that you may be justified (proved right).
27. Your first father [Jacob, in particular] sinned, and your teachers [the priests and the prophets–your mediators] transgressed against Me.
28. And so I will profane the chief ones of the sanctuary and will deliver Jacob to the curse (the ban, a solemn anathema or excommunication) and [will subject] Israel to reproaches and reviling.