17This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is good for you

and leads you along the paths you should follow.

18Oh, that you had listened to my commands!

Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river

and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.

19Your descendants would have been like the sands along the seashore—

too many to count!

There would have been no need for your destruction,

or for cutting off your family name.”

20Yet even now, be free from your captivity!

Leave Babylon and the Babylonians.^b

Sing out this message!

Shout it to the ends of the earth!

The Lord has redeemed his servants,

the people of Israel.^c

21They were not thirsty

when he led them through the desert.

He divided the rock,

and water gushed out for them to drink.

22“But there is no peace for the wicked,”

says the Lord.