¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you^(A) so that you might go and bear fruit^(B)—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.^(C)

⁴ Give them a message for their masters and say, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Tell this to your masters: ⁵ With my great power and outstretched arm^(A) I made^(B) the earth and its people and the animals^(C) that are on it, and I give^(D) it to anyone I please. ⁶ Now I will give all your countries into the hands of my servant^(E) Nebuchadnezzar^(F) king of Babylon; I will make even the wild animals subject to him.^{(G) 7} All nations will serve^(H) him and his son and his grandson until the time^(I) for his land comes; then many nations and great kings will subjugate^(J) him.

⁸ “‘“If, however, any nation or kingdom will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon or bow its neck under his yoke, I will punish^(K) that nation with the sword,^(L) famine^(M) and plague,^(N) declares the Lord, until I destroy it by his hand.

²¹ David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed^(A) me ruler^(B) over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.