5. That is why I revealed to you what would happen long ago.I told you about them before they happened.⌊I did this⌋ so you couldn’t say,“My gods have done these things.My carved idols and my metal idolshave commanded them to happen.”
6. You’ve heard these words.Now look at all this.Won’t you admit it?From now on I will reveal to you new things,hidden things that you do not know.
7. They are created now, not in the past.You haven’t heard about them before today,so you can’t say that you already knew about them.
8. You have never heard about them.You have never known about them.Your ears have never been open to hear them before.I know that you’ve acted very treacherouslyand that you have been called a rebel since you were born.
9. For my name’s sake I’ll be patient.For my glory’s sake I’ll hold my anger back from you,rather than destroy you.
10. I have refined you,but not like silver.I have tested you in the furnace of suffering.
11. I am doing this for myself, only for myself.Why should my name be dishonored?I will not give my glory to anyone else.
12. Listen to me, Jacob,Israel, whom I have called.I am the one.I am the first and the last.
13. My hand laid the foundation of the earth.My right hand stretched out the heavens.When I call for them, they both stand.
14. Gather together, all of you, and listen.What idol has revealed such things?The Lord loves Cyrus.He will carry out the Lord’s plan against Babylon.He will use his strength against the Babylonians.
15. I alone have spoken.I have called him.I will bring him here, and he will succeed.
16. Come here. Listen to this:From the beginning I have spoken nothing in private.From the time it took place, I was there.Now the Almighty Lord has sent me and his Spirit.
17. This is what the Lord, your Defender, the Holy One of Israel, says:I am the Lord your God.I teach you what is best for you.I lead you where you should go.
18. If only you had listened to my commands!Your peace would be like a river ⌊that never runs dry⌋.Your righteousness would be like waves on the sea.