5 And so I predicted your future long ago,announcing events before they took place,to prevent you from claimingthat your idols and images made them happen.
6 “All I foretold has now taken place;you have to admit my predictions were right.Now I will tell you of new things to come,events that I did not reveal before.
7 Only now am I making them happen;nothing like this took place in the past.If it had, you would claim that you knew all about it.
8 I knew that you couldn't be trusted,that you have always been known as a rebel.That is why you never heard of this at all,why no word of it ever came to your ears.
9 “In order that people will praise my name,I am holding my anger in check;I am keeping it back and will not destroy you.
10 I have tested you in the fire of suffering,as silver is refined in a furnace.But I have found that you are worthless.
11 What I do is done for my own sake —I will not let my name be dishonouredor let anyone else share the glorythat should be mine and mine alone.”