And now in Babylonia the same thing has happened: you are captives, and nothing was paid for you. Those who rule over you boast and brag and constantly show contempt for me.

Now if you kill all your people, the nations who have heard of your fame will say

that you killed your people in the wilderness because you were not able to bring them into the land you promised to give them.

I would have destroyed them completely, so that no one would remember them.

But I could not let their enemies boast that they had defeated my people, when it was I myself who had crushed them.'

But I did not, since that would have brought dishonor to my name, for in the presence of the people among whom they were living I had announced to Israel that I was going to lead them out of Egypt.

The Sovereign LORD says, "And now, all you Israelites, suit yourselves! Go on and serve your idols! But I warn you that after this you will have to obey me and stop dishonoring my holy name by offering gifts to your idols.

The scripture says, "Because of you Jews, the Gentiles speak evil of God."

And so I predicted your future long ago, announcing events before they took place, to keep you from claiming that your idols and images made them happen.

"I alone am the LORD your God. No other god may share my glory; I will not let idols share my praise.

so that all will honor the Son in the same way as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.