Open English Translation ISA Chapter 48

48 Listen to this you descendants of Yakov (Jacob),

who’re called by the name Yisrael (Israel) and descended from Yehudah (Judah).

You make promises using Yahweh’s name,

and mention Yisrael’s god,

but it’s not done honestly or sincerely

2 even though they state that they’re from the sacred city,

and that they’re supported by Yisrael’s god, named commander-in-chief Yahweh.

3 Long ago I predicted and explained what would happen,

→ then suddenly, I took action and they happened

4 because I knew that you were stubborn.

Your neck muscles are like iron

≈ and your forehead is like bronze,

5 so I announced those things in advance.

Before they happened, I informed you

so that you couldn’t say that your idol did them,

or say that your carved idols and cast figures ordered them to happen.

6 You’ve heard—now investigate all of it.

Won’t you admit that what I tell you is true?

Now I’ll tell you new things,

and secret things that you didn’t previously know.

7 They’re activated now—not in the past,

and you hadn’t heard of them happening before today

otherwise you might say that you expected them.

8 No, you hadn’t heard and you didn’t know

because from way back, you never wanted to hear.

Yes, I knew that you act very treacherously

and even from the womb you’ve been called a rebel.

9 For the sake of my reputation, I’ll hold back my anger,

and so that I’m praised, I’ll restrain myself from destroying you.

10 Look, I’ve refined you, but not like silver—

I’ve tested you in the furnace of affliction.

11 But for my own sake I’ll take action,

because how could I allow my reputation to be damaged?

I won’t allow others to take the honour that’s due to me.

12 Listen to me Yakov (Jacob),

≈ and Yisrael (Israel) who I called.

I am he, the first, and also the last.[ref]

13 Yes, my hand founded the earth,

and my right hand stretched out the skies.

I call to them, then they stand together.

14 Gather together all of you and listen.

Which of those idols has announced these things?

Yahweh’s dearest ally will implement Yahweh’s desire on Babylon

and apply his power to those Chaldeans.

15 I’ve spoken. I’ve summoned him.

I’ve brought him, and he will succeed in his mission.

16 Come close to me and listen to this:

From the beginning, I haven’t spoken in secrecy.

I was there when those things happened.

My master Yahweh has sent me and his spirit.

17 Yahweh, Yisrael’s holy one and the one who paid the price for your freedom, says this:

I am your god, Yahweh, who teaches you to prosper—

who leads you in the path that you should follow.

18 If you had paid attention to my instructions

then you would have had peace like a river

and your righteousness like waves in the ocean.

19 Your descendants would have been as numerous as the sand,

≈ and the offspring from your womb like its grains.

It wouldn’t have been destroyed

≈ and had its name removed from my presence.

20 Go away from Babylon.[ref]

≈ Flee from those Chaldeans.

Proclaim this with a happy song.

Send it out to the ends of the earth to say:

Yahweh has paid the price to free his servant Yakov.

21 They weren’t thirsty when he led them through the wildernesses.

He made water flow out of a rock for them—

≈ he split open the rock and the water gushed out.

22 There’s no peace for the wicked says Yahweh.[ref]