48 Listen to this you descendants of Ya’akov (Jacob),

who are 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.