Isaiah 48
Refined, Not as Silver, but in the Furnace of Affliction
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Hear These Things, House of Jacob
48:1“Hear these things, house of Jacob, you called by Israel’s name, who came forth from Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord God of Israel, remembering without truth or righteousness,
48:2and cling to the holy city’s name and lean upon Israel’s God; His name is the Lord Sabaoth.
48:3I announced the former things beforehand; they went out from My mouth and became heard. Suddenly I acted, and they arrived.
48:4I know that you are stubborn, your neck an iron sinew and your forehead bronze.
48:5I announced it to you long ago; before it came upon you I made you hear it. Do not say, ‘My idols did it,’ or say, ‘My carved and cast images commanded me.’
48:6You heard everything, but you did not understand. Yet I also made you hear the new things from now on, what is about to happen, and you did not speak.
48:7They happen now, not long ago; you did not hear them in earlier days. Do not say, ‘Yes, I know them.’
48:8You neither knew nor understood; from the beginning I did not open your ears. For I knew you would utterly reject faithfulness, and you would be called lawless even from the belly.
Rescued for the Sake of His Name
48:9For My name’s sake I will show you My anger and bring My glorious deeds upon you, so that I do not destroy you.
48:10Look, I sold you, but not for silver; I rescued you from a furnace of poverty.
48:11For My sake I will act for you, because My name is being profaned. I will not give My glory to another.
48:12Listen to Me, Jacob and Israel whom I call. I am first, and I am forever,
My Hand Founded the Earth
48:13and My hand founded the earth, and My right hand established heaven. I will call them, and they will stand together
48:14and all will gather and hear. Who announced these things to them? Loving you, I carried out your will against Babylon, to remove the Chaldeans’ offspring.
48:15I spoke, I called; I brought him and made his journey prosper.
48:16Draw near to Me and hear these things. From the beginning I did not speak in secret or in a dark place of the earth. When it came to be, I was there; and now the Lord has sent me, and His spirit.”
The Lord Who Rescued You Teaches the Way
48:17Thus says the Lord who rescued you, Israel’s Holy One: “I am your God. I have shown you how to find the road on which you will walk.
48:18If you had listened to My commands, your peace would have become like a river and your righteousness like a sea wave.
48:19Your offspring would have become like sand, those born from your belly like the earth’s dust. Even now you will certainly not be destroyed, nor will your name perish before Me.”
48:20Leave Babylon, fleeing from the Chaldeans. Announce a voice of rejoicing, and let this be heard; proclaim it to the earth’s extremity. Say, “The Lord rescued His slave Jacob.”
48:21Even if they thirst, He will lead them through a wilderness and bring water out of a rock for them. A rock will split and water will flow, and My people will drink.
There Is No Rejoicing for the Ungodly
48:22“There is no rejoicing for the ungodly,” says the Lord.
← Isaiah 47 · Isaiah: all chapters · Isaiah 49 →
Saints Translation · Liturgical reading edition · V1 · working draft awaiting specialist review.