19“Behold, I will do something new,
         Now it will spring forth;
         Will you not be aware of it?
         I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
         Rivers in the desert.

20“The beasts of the field will glorify Me,
         The jackals and the ostriches,
         Because I have given waters in the wilderness
         And rivers in the desert,
         To give drink to My chosen people.

21“The people whom I formed for Myself
         Will declare My praise.

The Shortcomings of Israel

22“Yet you have not called on Me, O Jacob;
         But you have become weary of Me, O Israel.

23“You have not brought to Me the sheep of your burnt offerings,
         Nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices.
         I have not burdened you with offerings,
         Nor wearied you with incense.

24“You have bought Me not sweet cane with money,
         Nor have you filled Me with the fat of your sacrifices;
         Rather you have burdened Me with your sins,
         You have wearied Me with your iniquities.

25“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,
         And I will not remember your sins.

26“Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together;
         State your cause, that you may be proved right.

27“Your first forefather sinned,
         And your spokesmen have transgressed against Me.

28“So I will pollute the princes of the sanctuary,
         And I will consign Jacob to the ban and Israel to revilement.

NASB ©1995