The summons to depart from Babylon

The new prophecies will be fulfilled as surely as the old

48 Hear this, O household of Jacob,

called by the name of Israel,

and sprung from the loins of Judah,

who swear by the name of the Lord,

and celebrate Israel’s God –

but neither with justice or truth;

2 for they call themselves after the holy city,

and lean on the God of Israel,

whose name is the Lord of Hosts.

3 Of old I announced predictions,

and uttered them forth from my lips:

of a sudden I wrought, and they came.

4 But I knew that you were stubborn,

with a neck like an iron band,

and a forehead all of brass;

5 so I told it you long ago:

ere it came to pass, I informed you:

in case you should claim that your idol had wrought it,

your images – molten or graven – appointed it.

6 You have heard it, now see it fulfilled;

wilt you not bear witness to it?