Isaiah

Dispute With the People

Listen to this, house of Jacob,called by the name of Israel and born out of Judah’s womb, you who swear by the name of the Lord and invoke the God of Israel, though not in truth or righteousness—

calling yourselves after the Holy City, and relying on the God of Israel whose name is the Lord Sabaoth.

From long ago I revealed things past: they went forth from my mouth; I declared them. Then suddenly I acted and the word came to be.

Because I know that you are stubborn, your head as hard as iron, your forehead as bronze.

So I told you about them; before they took place I let you hear of them, lest you should say: “My idols did these, my graven image, my molten image commanded them.”

Now that you have heard and seen, will you not admit it? From now on, I will tell you new things, even hidden things you have not known before.

They are created now and not long ago; up to this day, you have not heard of them lest you should say, “I already knew.”

You have not heard; you didn’t know nor were your ears opened before, for I knew how treacherous you were— you who from birth have been called a rebel.

For my name’s sake, I delayed my anger, for my honor’s sake, I restrained it, lest I destroy you.

See: I have refined you as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

But now, for my own sake, I will act, yes, for my own sake. For how could I let my Name be defiled? Never will I yield my glory to another.

Cyrus’ Mission

Listen to me, O Jacob, Israel whom I have called, I am the same, I am the first, and I am also the last.

My hand laid the foundation of the earth, my right hand spread out the heavens. When I call on the stars, they all stand forth together.

Assemble all of you, and listen. Who among them has foretold these things? The beloved of the Lord will do what pleases him with Babylon and the people of Chaldea.

I, yes I myself, have spoken; I, myself, called him and made him prosper in his way.

Come near me and listen to this: From the beginning, I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it happened, I have been there. Know then, and now, Lord the Lord has sent me with his spirit!

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.

Had you paid attention to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from my presence.

Departure from Babylon

“Go forth from Babylon, flee from Chaldea!” Declare this with shouts of joy; make this known to the ends of the earth. Proclaim: the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!

Those he led through the desert were never thirsty. He made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and water gushed out.

There is no peace for the wicked, the Lord says.