48:1   People of Israel, you come from Jacob's family and the tribe of Judah. You claim to worship me, the LORD God of Israel, but you are lying.

48:2   You call Jerusalem your home and say you depend on me, the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel.

48:3   Long ago I announced what was going to be, then without warning, I made it happen.

48:4   I knew you were stubborn and hardheaded.

48:5   And I told you these things, so that when they happened you would not say, "The idols we worship did this."

48:6   You heard what I said, and you have seen it happen. Now admit that it's true! I will show you secrets you have never known.

48:7   Today I am doing something new, something you cannot say you have heard before.

48:8   You have never been willing to listen to what I say; from the moment of your birth, I knew you would rebel.

48:9   I, the LORD, am true to myself; I will be praised for not punishing and destroying you.

48:10   I tested you in hard times just as silver is refined in a heated furnace.

48:11   I did this because of who I am. I refuse to be dishonored or share my praise with any other god.

48:12   Israel, my chosen people, listen to me. I alone am the LORD, the first and the last.

48:13   With my own hand I created the earth and stretched out the sky. They obey my every command.

48:14   Gather around me, all of you! Listen to what I say. Did any of your idols predict this would happen? Did they say that my friend would do what I want done to Babylonia?

48:15   I was the one who chose him. I have brought him this far, and he will be successful.

48:16   Come closer and listen! I have never kept secret the things I have said, and I was here before time began. By the power of his Spirit the LORD God has sent me

48:17   with this message: People of Israel, I am the holy LORD God, the one who rescues you. For your own good, I teach you, and I lead you along the right path.

48:18   How I wish that you had obeyed my commands! Your success and good fortune would then have overflowed like a flooding river.

48:19   Your nation would be blessed with more people than there are grains of sand along the seashore. And I would never have let your country be destroyed.

48:20   Now leave Babylon! Celebrate as you go. Be happy and shout for everyone to hear, "The LORD has rescued his servant Israel!

48:21   He led us through the desert and made water flow from a rock to satisfy our thirst.

48:22   But the LORD has promised that none who are evil will live in peace."