12 The Lord says,“Listen to me, Israel, the people I have called!I am God, the first, the last, the only God!
13 My hands made the earth's foundationsand spread the heavens out.When I summon earth and sky,they come at once and present themselves.
14 “Assemble and listen, all of you!None of the gods could predictthat the man I have chosen would attack Babylon;he will do what I want him to do.
15 I am the one who spoke and called him;I led him out and gave him success.
16 “Now come close to me and hear what I say.From the beginning I have spoken openlyand have always made my words come true.”(Now the Sovereign Lord has given me his power and sent me.)
17 The holy God of Israel,the Lord who saves you, says:“I am the Lord your God,the one who wants to teach you for your own goodand direct you in the way you should go.
18 “If only you had listened to my commands!Then blessings would have flowed for youlike a stream that never goes dry.Victory would have come to youlike the waves that roll on the shore.