Isaiah 48:11-13

The Voice

For God, suffering is not an end in itself. God uses suffering and hardship to purge the bad and foster the good in His covenant people.

¹¹ But it is all on account of Me, not of you, that I act,
that I retain honor, that My glory is Mine alone, and not sullied.

¹²    Listen to Me, O Jacob, Israel whom I’ve specially named,
        specially chosen, and not without purpose.
    I Am the first of all things, and I will be the last.
¹³    It is by My power, My desire, My doing that the earth was anchored.
        My hand flung the skies. I established them,
    And when I call, they pay the strictest attention.