12. ‘Listen to me, Jacob,Israel, whom I have called:I am he;I am the first and I am the last.
13. My own hand laid the foundations of the earth,and my right hand spread out the heavens;when I summon them,they all stand up together.
14. ‘Come together, all of you, and listen:which of the idols has foretold these things?The Lord’s chosen allywill carry out his purpose against Babylon;his arm will be against the Babylonians.
15. I, even I, have spoken;yes, I have called him.I will bring him,and he will succeed in his mission.
16. ‘Come near me and listen to this:‘From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret;at the time it happens, I am there.’And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me,endowed with his Spirit.
17. This is what the Lord says –your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:‘I am the Lord your God,who teaches you what is best for you,who directs you in the way you should go.