It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened!
Isaiah 37:26 - Easy To Read Version That is what you said.\}\par But haven’t you heard \{what I said\}?\par ‘I (God) planned it long ago,\par from ancient times I planned it.\par And now, I made it happen.\par I let you tear down the strong cities\par and change them into piles of rocks.\par Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition [But, says the God of Israel] have you not heard that I purposed to do it long ago, that I planned it in ancient times? Now I have brought it to pass, that you [king of Assyria] should [be My instrument to] lay waste fortified cities, making them ruinous heaps. American Standard Version (1901) Hast thou not heard how I have done it long ago, and formed it of ancient times? now have I brought it to pass, that it should be thine to lay waste fortified cities into ruinous heaps. Common English Bible Haven’t you heard? I set this up long ago; I planned it in the distant past! Now I have made it happen, making fortified cities collapse into piles of rubble. Catholic Public Domain Version Have you not heard what I have done to it in past times? In ancient times, I formed it. And now I have brought it forth. And it has been made so that the hills and the fortified cities would fight together, unto its destruction. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Hast thou not heard what I have done to him of old? From the days of old I have formed it: and now I have brought it to effect: and it hath come to pass that hills fighting together and fenced cities should be destroyed. |
It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened!
Lord, get up {\cf2\super [92]} and go to the enemy.\par Make them surrender.\par Use your sword and save me\par from the bad people.\par
God, people respect you\par when you punish evil people.\par You show your anger,\par and the survivors {\cf2\super [434]} become stronger.\par
An axe is not better than the person that cuts with it. A saw is not better than the person that saws with it. \{But Assyria thinks he is more important and powerful than God.\} And this is like a stick being more powerful and important than the person that picks it up and uses it to punish someone.
This is the sad message for Damascus. {\cf2\super [174]} The Lord says these things will happen to Damascus:
Surely you know the truth, don’t you?\par Surely you have heard!\par Surely someone told you long ago!\par Surely you understand who made the earth!\par
Surely you have heard and know\par that the Lord God is very wise.\par People can’t learn everything he knows.\par The Lord does not become tired\par and need to rest.\par The Lord made all the faraway places\par on earth.\par The Lord lives forever.\par
I made the light,\par and I made darkness.\par I make peace,\par and I make troubles.\par I am the Lord—\par and I do all these things.\par
If a trumpet blows a warning, then the people will surely shake with fear. If trouble comes to a city, then the Lord caused it.
Jesus was given to you, and you killed him. With the help of bad men you nailed Jesus to a cross. But God knew all this would happen. This was God’s plan. God made this plan long ago.