I have declared from the beginning the former things which happened in times past to Yisrael; they went forth from My mouth and I made them known; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass says your Maker. Because I knew that you were obstinate, and your neck was an iron sinew and your brow was brass, therefore I have declared things to come to you from of old; before they came to pass I announced them to you, so that you could not say, ”My idol has done them, and my graven image and my molten image have commanded them.”
You have heard these things foretold, now you see this fulfillment. And will you not bear witness to it? I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things kept in reserve which you have not known. They are created now—called into being by the prophetic word, and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, “Behold, I knew them!”
Yes, you have never heard, yes, you have never known; yes, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I, your Maker, knew that you, O house of Yisrael, dealt very treacherously; you were called a transgressor and a rebel in revolt from your birth.
For My name’s sake I defer My anger, and for the sake of My praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I do it—I refrain and do not utterly destroy you; for why should I permit My name to be polluted and profaned—which it would be if your Maker completely destroyed His chosen people? And I will not give My esteem to another by permitting the worshipers of idols to triumph over you.
