“ ‘But I, the Lord, say, “Haven’t you heard what I have done? Long ago I arranged for you to do all of that. In days of old I planned it. Now I have made it happen. You have turned cities with high walls into piles of stone.
I know that everything God does will last forever. Nothing can be added to it. And nothing can be taken from it. God does that so people will have respect for him.
The Lord who rules over all has made a promise. He has said, “You can be sure that what I have planned will happen. What I have decided will take place.
Before something even happens, I announce how it will end. In fact, from times long ago I announced what was still to come. I say, ‘My plan will succeed. I will do anything I want to do.’
I know the plans I have for you,” announces the Lord. “I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come.
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, give praise and honor and glory to the King of heaven. Everything he does is right. All his ways are fair. He is able to bring down those who live proudly.
But those nations don’t know what the Lord has in mind. They don’t understand his plan. He has planned to gather them up like bundles of grain. He has planned to take them to his threshing floor.