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Isaiah

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1Judah's Case Before Heaven and Earth
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
1This is the vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw about Judah and Jerusalem during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.
2Listen, heavens! Pay attention, earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me.
3The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.
3An ox knows who owns it, and a donkey knows where its master feeds it, but Israel does not know; my people do not stop to think."
4Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.
4What a sinful nation! A people weighed down with wrongdoing, a family of wrongdoers, children who ruin everything. They have abandoned the LORD, they have stirred the Holy One of Israel to anger, and they have turned their backs and walked away.
5Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
5Why should you be beaten any more? You would only keep on rebelling. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is weak.
6From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.
6From the bottom of the foot to the top of the head there is nothing healthy in it, only wounds and bruises and open, festering sores that have not been cleaned, or bandaged, or soothed with oil.
7Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers.
7Your country lies in ruins; your cities have been burned down. Foreigners eat up your land right in front of you, and it is a wasteland, as if strangers had overturned it.
8And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.
8The daughter of Zion is left standing alone, like a hut in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a city under siege.
9Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.
9If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom; we would have been just like Gomorrah.
10Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
10Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
11"What good is your endless stream of sacrifices to me?" says the LORD. "I have had my fill of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed animals. I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls or lambs or goats.
12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
12When you come to stand before me, who asked you to do this, to come trampling through my courts?
13Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
13Stop bringing me worthless offerings; your incense disgusts me. Your new moon festivals and Sabbaths and called-together assemblies I cannot stand; your solemn meetings are full of wrongdoing.
14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
14I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts with all my heart. They have become a burden to me; I am tired of carrying them.
15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
15When you lift your hands to pray, I will hide my eyes from you. Even when you pray over and over, I will not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.
16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
16Wash yourselves and get clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing wrong.
17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
17Learn to do right. Look for justice, help those who are crushed, defend the orphan, and take the widow's side.
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
18"Come now, let us settle this together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are bright red like scarlet, they will become as white as snow; though they are deep red like crimson, they will be like wool.
19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
19If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best the land produces.
20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
20But if you refuse and rebel, you will be eaten up by the sword." The mouth of the LORD has said it.
21How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.
21How the faithful city has become a prostitute! It used to be full of justice; what was right lived there. But now it is full of murderers.
22Thy silver is become dross, thy wine mixed with water:
22Your silver has turned to slag, and your wine has been watered down.
23Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
23Your rulers are rebels and partners of thieves. Every one of them loves a bribe and chases after payoffs. They do not defend the orphan, and the widow's case never reaches them.
24Therefore saith the LORD, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
24So this is what the Lord says, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my opponents and pay back my enemies.
25And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:
25I will turn my hand against you, burn away your slag until it is pure, and remove all your impurities.
26And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.
26I will give you judges like the ones you had at the start and counselors like those at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City."
27Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.
27Zion will be set free through justice, and those in her who return, through righteousness.
28And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.
28But rebels and sinners will be crushed together, and those who abandon the LORD will be destroyed.
29For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
29You will be ashamed of the sacred oaks you loved so much, and embarrassed by the gardens you chose.
30For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water.
30You will be like an oak whose leaves are withering, and like a garden that has no water.
31And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them.
31The strong man will become like dry flax, and what he made will be like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.
2Swords into Plowshares, Pride Brought Low
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
1This is the message that Isaiah son of Amoz saw about Judah and Jerusalem.
2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
2In the last days, the mountain where the LORD's house stands will be set firmly above all the mountains and raised higher than the hills, and all the nations will stream to it.
3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
3Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the teaching will go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
4He will judge between the nations and settle disputes for many peoples. They will hammer their swords into plow blades and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not raise a sword against nation, and they will not train for war any more.
5O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
5Come, family of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.
6Therefore thou hast forsaken thy people the house of Jacob, because they be replenished from the east, and are soothsayers like the Philistines, and they please themselves in the children of strangers.
6You have abandoned your people, the family of Jacob, because they are full of ideas from the east; they practice fortune-telling like the Philistines and shake hands with foreigners.
7Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots:
7Their land is full of silver and gold, and there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses, and there is no end to their chariots.
8Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:
8Their land is also full of idols. They bow down to things their own hands have made, things their own fingers have shaped.
9And the mean man boweth down, and the great man humbleth himself: therefore forgive them not.
9So the common man is brought low and the great man is humbled. Do not forgive them.
10Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.
10Go into the rocks and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty.
11The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
11Proud looks will be brought down and human arrogance humbled, and the LORD alone will be lifted high on that day.
12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
12For the LORD of hosts has a day in store for everyone who is proud and lofty, for everyone who is puffed up; and they will be brought low.
13And upon all the cedars of Lebanon, that are high and lifted up, and upon all the oaks of Bashan,
13It will fall on all the tall, towering cedars of Lebanon and on all the oaks of Bashan,
14And upon all the high mountains, and upon all the hills that are lifted up,
14on all the high mountains and on all the hills that rise up,
15And upon every high tower, and upon every fenced wall,
15on every tall tower and every fortified wall,
16And upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.
16on all the ships of Tarshish and on every beautiful piece of craftsmanship.
17And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.
17Human pride will be brought down and human arrogance made low, and the LORD alone will be lifted high on that day.
18And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
18And the idols will disappear completely.
19And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
19People will run into caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
20In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;
20On that day people will throw away their idols of silver and gold, the ones they each made for themselves to worship, to the moles and the bats,
21To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.
21and run into the cracks of the rocks and the crags of the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of ?
22Stop trusting in human beings, who have only a breath in their nostrils. What are they really worth?
3Jerusalem Stripped of Its Leaders
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water.
1Look: the Lord, the LORD of hosts, is taking away from Jerusalem and Judah everything they lean on and depend on, every supply of bread and every supply of water,
2The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
2the soldier and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the fortune-teller and the elder,
3The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.
3the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor, the skilled craftsman, and the clever speaker.
4And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them.
4"I will make boys their leaders, and little children will rule over them."
5And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
5The people will bully one another, each person his neighbor. The young will be rude to the old, and the nobody will insult the person of honor.
6When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father, saying, Thou hast clothing, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand:
6A man will grab hold of his brother in his father's house and say, "You have a coat; you be our leader, and take charge of this heap of ruins."
7In that day shall he swear, saying, I will not be an healer; for in my house is neither bread nor clothing: make me not a ruler of the people.
7But on that day he will protest, "I cannot fix anything. There is no bread or clothing in my house. Do not make me a leader of the people."
8For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
8For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, because their words and their actions are against the LORD, defying his glorious presence.
9The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.
9The look on their faces testifies against them. They parade their sin like Sodom and do not even hide it. How terrible for them! They have brought disaster on themselves.
10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
10Tell the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will enjoy the fruit of what they have done.
11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
11How terrible for the wicked! It will go badly for them, for what their hands have done will be done to them.
12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.
12As for my people, children push them around, and women rule over them. My people, your leaders are leading you astray; they are wiping out the path you should walk.
13The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.
13The LORD rises to make his case; he stands to judge the peoples.
14The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
14The LORD brings charges against the elders and leaders of his people: "You have eaten up the vineyard; what you stole from the poor is in your houses.
15What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
15What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor into the ground?" says the Lord GOD of hosts.
16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
16The LORD also says, "Because the daughters of Zion are so proud, walking with their noses in the air and flirting with their eyes, taking dainty little steps and jingling the ornaments on their ankles,
17Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.
17the Lord will cover the heads of the daughters of Zion with sores, and the LORD will strip them bare."
18In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,
18On that day the Lord will take away their finery: the ankle bracelets, the headbands, and the crescent necklaces,
19The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,
19the earrings, the bracelets, and the veils,
20The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,
20the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes, the perfume bottles, and the charms,
21The rings, and nose jewels,
21the signet rings and nose rings,
22The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,
22the festive gowns, the capes, the cloaks, and the purses,
23The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.
23the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the shawls.
24And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.
24Then instead of perfume there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, a bald head; instead of a fine robe, a wrapping of sackcloth; and a brand instead of beauty.
25Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.
25Your men will fall by the sword, and your warriors in battle.
26And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground.
26Zion's gates will grieve and mourn, and she will sit on the ground, stripped of everything.
4The Branch of the LORD Over Zion
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
1On that day seven women will grab hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and wear our own clothes. Just let us be called by your name, and take away our disgrace."
2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
2On that day the branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and honor of the survivors of Israel.
3And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
3Those who are left in Zion and remain in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone whose name is written among the living in Jerusalem,
4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
4once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and rinsed the bloodstains out of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning.
5And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
5Then the LORD will create over the whole of Mount Zion and over its gatherings a cloud of smoke by day and the glow of a blazing fire by night. Over all the glory there will be a canopy.
6And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
6It will be a shelter to give shade from the heat of the day, and a safe place to hide from the storm and the rain.
5The Vineyard Song and the Woes
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
1Let me sing for the one I love a song about my loved one's vineyard. The one I love had a vineyard on a rich and fertile hillside.
2And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
2He dug it up and cleared out the stones, planted it with the very best vines, built a watchtower in the middle of it, and cut out a winepress as well. Then he waited for it to produce good grapes, but it produced only sour wild grapes.
3And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard.
3"Now, you people of Jerusalem and men of Judah, please judge between me and my vineyard.
4What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?
4What more could I have done for my vineyard that I did not do? Why, when I waited for it to produce good grapes, did it produce only wild ones?
5And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:
5Now let me tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard. I will take away its hedge, and it will be eaten up. I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled.
6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
6I will turn it into a wasteland. It will not be pruned or hoed, and briers and thorns will grow up in it. I will also order the clouds not to rain on it."
7For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
7The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the garden he delighted in. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
8Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!
8How terrible for those who add house to house and join field to field until there is no room left, and they live all alone in the middle of the land!
9In mine ears said the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, even great and fair, without inhabitant.
9The LORD of hosts has said in my hearing: "Truly, many houses will be left empty; the big, beautiful ones will have no one living in them.
10Yea, ten acres of vineyard shall yield one bath, and the seed of an homer shall yield an ephah.
10Ten acres of vineyard will produce only six gallons of wine, and a heap of seed will produce only a tenth as much grain."
11Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
11How terrible for those who get up early in the morning to chase strong drink, and stay up late into the night until wine sets them on fire!
12And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
12They have harps and lyres, tambourines and flutes and wine at their feasts, but they pay no attention to what the LORD is doing and take no notice of the work of his hands.
13Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
13So my people are going into exile because they do not understand; their honored men are starving, and the crowds are parched with thirst.
14Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
14So the grave has opened its appetite wide and stretched its mouth without limit, and down into it go Jerusalem's nobles and her crowds, her noisy revelers and everyone who was celebrating.
15And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:
15The common man will be brought down and the great man humbled; proud eyes will be lowered.
16But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
16But the LORD of hosts will be lifted high by his justice, and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness.
17Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
17Then lambs will graze as if in their own pasture, and strangers will feed among the ruins of the rich.
18Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:
18How terrible for those who drag their guilt along with ropes of lies, and haul their sin behind them like a cart,
19That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
19who say, "Let God hurry up and do his work quickly so we can see it. Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel come soon so we can know what it is!"
20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
20How terrible for those who call evil good and good evil, who swap darkness for light and light for darkness, who swap bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
21Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
21How terrible for those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own opinion!
22Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
22How terrible for those who are champions at drinking wine and heroes at mixing strong drinks,
23Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
23who let the guilty go free for a bribe and strip innocent people of their rights!
24Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
24So just as fire eats up straw and a flame burns away dry grass, their roots will rot and their blossoms will blow away like dust, because they have thrown out the teaching of the LORD of hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
25Therefore is the anger of the LORD kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
25That is why the LORD's anger burns against his people; he has raised his hand against them and struck them down. The hills shook, and their dead bodies lay like garbage in the streets. Even after all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is still raised.
26And he will lift up an ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed swiftly:
26He will raise a signal flag for nations far away and whistle for them from the ends of the earth, and look, here they come, fast and swift.
27None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
27Not one of them gets tired or trips; not one dozes or sleeps. Not a belt at their waist comes loose, not a sandal strap breaks.
28Whose arrows are sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:
28Their arrows are sharp and all their bows are strung. Their horses' hooves are hard as flint, and their chariot wheels spin like a whirlwind.
29Their roaring shall be like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry it away safe, and none shall deliver it.
29Their roar is like a lion's; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey and carry it off, and no one can rescue it.
30And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof.
30On that day they will roar over their victim like the roaring of the sea. Whoever looks at the land will see only darkness and misery; even the light will be blotted out by the clouds.
6Isaiah's Call in the Temple
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
1In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and lifted up, and the edges of his robe filled the temple.
2Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
2Above him stood seraphim, each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.
3And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
3They were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts! The whole earth is full of his glory."
4And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
4The doorposts shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple filled with smoke.
5Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
5Then I said, "How terrible for me! I am finished, because I am a man with unclean lips, and I live among a people with unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."
6Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding a burning coal that he had taken from the altar with tongs.
7And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
7He touched my mouth with it and said, "Look, this has touched your lips. Your guilt is taken away, and your sin is wiped out."
8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
8Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" And I said, "Here I am. Send me."
9And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
9He said, "Go and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'
10Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
10Make the heart of this people dull, plug their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they do not see with their eyes, or hear with their ears, or understand with their heart, and turn back and be healed."
11Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
11Then I asked, "Lord, how long?" And he answered, "Until the cities lie in ruins with no one living in them, the houses are empty of people, and the land is completely deserted,
12And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
12until the LORD has sent everyone far away and the land is left abandoned.
13But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.
13Even if a tenth remains in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak that leaves a stump when it is cut down. The holy seed is that stump."
7The Sign of Immanuel
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.
1In the days of Ahaz son of Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah, King Rezin of Syria and Pekah son of Remaliah, king of Israel, marched up to attack Jerusalem, but they could not conquer it.
2And it was told the house of David, saying, Syria is confederate with Ephraim. And his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the wood are moved with the wind.
2When the house of David was told, "Syria has joined forces with Ephraim," the king's heart and the hearts of his people shook the way trees in a forest shake in the wind.
3Then said the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, thou, and Shearjashub thy son, at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field;
3Then the LORD said to Isaiah, "Go out with your son Shear-jashub to meet Ahaz at the end of the channel of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field,
4And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
4and tell him, 'Be careful, stay calm, and do not be afraid. Do not lose heart over these two smoldering stubs of firewood, over the burning anger of Rezin and Syria and of Remaliah's son.
5Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
5Syria, Ephraim, and Remaliah's son have plotted to harm you, saying,
6Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
6"Let us go up against Judah and terrify it; let us break it open for ourselves and set up our own king in it, the son of Tabeel."
7Thus saith the Lord GOD, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass.
7But this is what the Lord GOD says: It will not happen; it will not come to pass.
8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
8For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered and will no longer be a people.
9And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established.
9The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in faith, you will not stand at all.'"
10Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying,
10The LORD spoke to Ahaz again and said,
11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
11"Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether from deep down below or from high up above."
12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD.
12But Ahaz said, "I will not ask. I will not put the LORD to the test."
13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
13Then Isaiah said, "Listen now, house of David! Is it not enough for you to wear out people's patience? Will you wear out my God's patience too?
14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
14So the Lord himself will give you a sign: Look, a virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and she will name him Immanuel.
15Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.
15He will eat curds and honey until he knows enough to reject what is wrong and choose what is right.
16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.
16But before the boy knows how to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be deserted.
17The LORD shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon thy father’s house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah; even the king of Assyria.
17The LORD will bring on you, on your people, and on your father's house such days as have not come since Ephraim broke away from Judah: he will bring the king of Assyria."
18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
18On that day the LORD will whistle for the flies from the far-off streams of Egypt and for the bees from the land of Assyria.
19And they shall come, and shall rest all of them in the desolate valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all thorns, and upon all bushes.
19They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and the cracks in the rocks, on every thornbush and every pasture.
20In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.
20On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the River, the king of Assyria, to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and it will take off your beard as well.
21And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep;
21On that day a man will keep alive one young cow and two sheep,
22And it shall come to pass, for the abundance of milk that they shall give he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land.
22and because of all the milk they give, he will eat curds. Everyone left in the land will live on curds and honey.
23And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings, it shall even be for briers and thorns.
23On that day, every place that once had a thousand vines worth a thousand pieces of silver will be nothing but briers and thorns.
24With arrows and with bows shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
24People will go there with bows and arrows, because the whole land will be covered with briers and thorns.
25And on all hills that shall be digged with the mattock, there shall not come thither the fear of briers and thorns: but it shall be for the sending forth of oxen, and for the treading of lesser cattle.
25As for all the hills that used to be worked with a hoe, you will no longer go there for fear of the briers and thorns; they will be places to turn cattle loose and for sheep to trample.
8Maher-shalal-hash-baz and the Flood
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz.
1The LORD also said to me, "Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: 'Maher-shalal-hash-baz.'"
2And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
2And I took reliable witnesses to confirm it, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah.
3And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
3Then I went to the prophetess, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said to me, "Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz.
4For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
4For before the child knows how to say 'my father' and 'my mother,' the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off before the king of Assyria."
5The LORD spake also unto me again, saying,
5The LORD spoke to me again, saying,
6Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah’s son;
6"Because this people has refused the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and takes delight in Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
7Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
7the Lord is now going to bring up against them the waters of the River, mighty and deep, the king of Assyria with all his glory. It will rise over all its channels and run over all its banks.
8And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
8It will sweep on into Judah; it will flood and pass through until it reaches up to the neck. Its outspread wings will fill the whole width of your land, O Immanuel."
9Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
9Band together, you peoples, and you will be shattered. Listen, all you far-off lands: arm yourselves, and you will be shattered; arm yourselves, and you will be shattered.
10Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
10Make your plans together, and they will come to nothing; give the order, and it will not stand, for God is with us.
11For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
11For the LORD spoke to me with a strong hand and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,
12Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
12"Do not call an alliance everything this people calls an alliance. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be terrified.
13Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
13Set the LORD of hosts apart as holy; he is the one you should fear, and he is the one you should dread.
14And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
14He will be a sanctuary, but to both houses of Israel he will be a stone people trip over and a rock they stumble against, a trap and a snare to the people of Jerusalem.
15And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
15Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured."
16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
16Tie up the testimony; seal the teaching among my disciples.
17And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
17I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will put my hope in him.
18Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.
18Look, I and the children the LORD has given me are signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who lives on Mount Zion.
19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?
19When people tell you, "Ask the mediums and the fortune-tellers who whisper and mutter," shouldn't a people ask their God instead? Why ask the dead on behalf of the living?
20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
20Go to the teaching and to the testimony! If they do not speak in line with this word, it is because there is no light in them.
21And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
21They will pass through the land hard-pressed and hungry, and when they are hungry they will become furious and curse their king and their God, looking upward.
22And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.
22Then they will look at the earth and see only trouble and darkness, the gloom of distress, and they will be driven into deep darkness.
9The Child Born to Rule
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
1Still, the gloom will not be like it was in her time of distress, when at first he struck the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali lightly, and later struck her more heavily along the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in the land of death's shadow, the light has shone.
3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
3You have made the nation larger but have not increased its joy; yet they rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as men celebrate when they divide the plunder.
4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.
4For you have broken the yoke that burdened them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, as you did in the day of Midian.
5For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
5For every warrior's battle comes with the noise of confusion and clothing rolled in blood, but this one will end in burning, fuel for the fire.
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will rest on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
7There will be no end to the growth of his government and its peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to set it in order and establish it with judgment and justice from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
8The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
8The Lord has sent a word against Jacob, and it has landed on Israel.
9And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,
9All the people will know it, Ephraim and those who live in Samaria, who say in pride and with stubborn hearts,
10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.
10"The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stone; the sycamore trees have been chopped down, but we will replace them with cedars."
11Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
11So the LORD will raise up Rezin's enemies against him and stir up his foes together:
12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
12the Syrians in front and the Philistines behind, and they will devour Israel with open mouths. For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is still stretched out.
13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.
13For the people have not turned back to the one who struck them, nor have they sought the LORD of hosts.
14Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.
14So the LORD will cut off from Israel both head and tail, palm branch and reed, in a single day.
15The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
15The elder and the honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
16For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.
16For the leaders of this people lead them astray, and those who follow them are swallowed up.
17Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
17So the Lord will take no pleasure in their young men and will show no mercy to their orphans and widows, for every one of them is godless and does evil, and every mouth speaks foolishness. For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is still stretched out.
18For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.
18For wickedness burns like a fire; it devours briers and thorns and sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that they roll upward in columns of smoke.
19Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
19By the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire; no one spares his brother.
20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:
20A man grabs food on the right and is still hungry; he eats on the left and is not satisfied. Every man eats the flesh of his own arm:
21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
21Manasseh against Ephraim, and Ephraim against Manasseh, and together they turn against Judah. For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is still stretched out.
10Assyria, the Rod of God's Anger
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;
1How terrible for those who make unjust laws and write down oppressive rulings,
2To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!
2to shut the needy out of justice and rob the poor of my people of their rights, so that widows become their prey and they can plunder the fatherless!
3And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
3What will you do on the day of reckoning, when the ruin comes from far away? To whom will you run for help, and where will you leave your wealth?
4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
4Without me you will only crouch among the prisoners or fall among the slain. For all this, his anger has not turned away; his hand is still stretched out.
5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.
5"Assyria, the rod of my anger! The club in their hands is my fury.
6I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
6I send him against a godless nation; I give him orders against the people who provoke my wrath, to seize plunder and carry off loot and trample them down like mud in the streets.
7Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few.
7But that is not what he intends, and that is not what he has in mind; his heart is set on destroying and wiping out many nations.
8For he saith, Are not my princes altogether kings?
8For he says, 'Aren't my commanders all kings?
9Is not Calno as Carchemish? is not Hamath as Arpad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
9Isn't Calno like Carchemish? Isn't Hamath like Arpad? Isn't Samaria like Damascus?
10As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idols, and whose graven images did excel them of Jerusalem and of Samaria;
10Just as my hand has reached the kingdoms of the idols, whose carved images were greater than those of Jerusalem and Samaria,
11Shall I not, as I have done unto Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
11shall I not do to Jerusalem and her idols what I have done to Samaria and her idols?'"
12Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
12So when the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, he will say, "I will punish the king of Assyria for the fruit of his proud heart and for the arrogance in his haughty eyes."
13For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man:
13For he says, "I did this by the strength of my own hand and by my wisdom, because I am clever. I have removed the borders of peoples and robbed their treasures; like a mighty man I have brought down those who sat on thrones.
14And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped.
14My hand has reached into the wealth of the peoples as into a nest; as someone gathers abandoned eggs, I have gathered up the whole earth, and no one flapped a wing or opened a mouth or chirped."
15Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.
15Does the axe brag against the one who swings it? Does the saw boast over the one who moves it back and forth? That would be like a rod waving the one who lifts it, or a staff lifting up what is not wood!
16Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire.
16So the Lord, the Lord of hosts, will send a wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a fire will be kindled, burning like a blaze.
17And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day;
17The Light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn up and consume his thorns and briers.
18And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
18It will destroy the glory of his forest and his fertile fields, body and soul alike, and they will be like a standard-bearer who collapses.
19And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.
19The trees left in his forest will be so few that a child could write them down.
20And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
20In that day the remnant of Israel, those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will no longer lean on the one who struck them, but will lean in truth on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
21The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
21A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God.
22For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
22For though your people Israel are like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness.
23For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.
23For the Lord GOD of hosts will carry out the destruction he has determined throughout the whole land.
24Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.
24So this is what the Lord GOD of hosts says: "My people who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He will strike you with a rod and raise his staff against you as Egypt once did.
25For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.
25But in a very little while my fury will end, and my anger will turn to their destruction."
26And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.
26The LORD of hosts will raise a whip against him, as when he struck down Midian at the rock of Oreb; and as his staff was lifted over the sea, so he will raise it as he did against Egypt.
27And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.
27In that day his burden will be lifted from your shoulder and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be broken because of the anointing.
28He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages:
28He has come to Aiath; he has passed through Migron; at Michmash he stores his supplies.
29They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.
29They have crossed the pass; they camp for the night at Geba. Ramah trembles; Gibeah of Saul has fled.
30Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.
30Cry out loud, daughter of Gallim! Make it heard as far as Laish, poor Anathoth!
31Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.
31Madmenah has run away; the people of Gebim gather up to flee.
32As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
32This very day he will halt at Nob; he shakes his fist at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
33Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.
33Look, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, will lop off the branches with terrifying power; the tallest trees will be chopped down, and the lofty will be brought low.
34And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.
34He will cut down the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.
11The Shoot from Jesse's Stump
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
1A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch will grow out of his roots.
2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;
2The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
3And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:
3It will give him keen understanding in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what his eyes see or decide by what his ears hear,
4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
4but he will judge the poor with righteousness and decide with fairness for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he will put the wicked to death.
5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
5Righteousness will be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his hips.
6The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
6The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf will be together, and a little child will lead them.
7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
7The cow and the bear will graze, and their young will lie down together; the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
8A nursing baby will play by the cobra's hole, and a small child will put its hand into the viper's nest.
9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
9They will not hurt or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
10And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
10In that day the root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will seek him, and his resting place will be glorious.
11And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
11In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to bring back the remnant of his people who are left, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
12He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the outcasts of Israel; he will collect the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
13The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
13Ephraim's jealousy will vanish, and Judah's enemies will be cut off; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, and Judah will not harass Ephraim.
14But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
14Together they will swoop down on the slopes of the Philistines to the west and plunder the people of the east; they will lay their hands on Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will obey them.
15And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.
15The LORD will completely dry up the tongue of the Egyptian sea; with his mighty wind he will wave his hand over the River and break it into seven streams, so that people can walk across with dry feet.
16And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
16There will be a highway for the remnant of his people who are left from Assyria, just as there was for Israel on the day they came up out of the land of Egypt.
12A Song of Thanksgiving
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
1In that day you will say, "LORD, I will praise you. Though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away, and you have comforted me.
2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
2See, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
4And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
4In that day you will say, "Praise the LORD! Call on his name; tell the peoples what he has done; announce that his name is lifted high.
5Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
5Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known in all the earth.
6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
6Cry out and shout, you who live in Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
13The Burden of Babylon
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
1The message of judgment against Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw.
2Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.
2Raise a banner on the high mountain; lift up your voice to them; wave your hand so they may march through the gates of the nobles.
3I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.
3I have given orders to my consecrated ones; I have also summoned my mighty warriors to carry out my anger, those who celebrate my majesty.
4The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.
4Listen, a noise on the mountains like that of a great crowd! Listen, the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts is mustering an army for battle.
5They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
5They come from a distant land, from the far edge of the heavens, the LORD and the weapons of his fury, to destroy the whole land.
6Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.
6Wail, for the day of the LORD is near; it comes like destruction from the Almighty.
7Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt:
7So every hand will go limp, and every man's heart will melt.
8And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
8They will be terrified; pain and anguish will grip them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will stare at one another in shock, their faces burning like flames.
9Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
9See, the day of the LORD is coming, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a wasteland and to destroy the sinners in it.
10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.
10For the stars of the sky and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shine.
11And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.
11"I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin; I will put an end to the arrogance of the proud and bring down the haughtiness of the ruthless.
12I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.
12I will make people scarcer than fine gold, rarer than the gold of Ophir.
13Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.
13So I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts, on the day of his fierce anger."
14And it shall be as the chased roe, and as a sheep that no man taketh up: they shall every man turn to his own people, and flee every one into his own land.
14Like a hunted gazelle, like sheep with no one to gather them, each will turn back to his own people and flee to his own land.
15Every one that is found shall be thrust through; and every one that is joined unto them shall fall by the sword.
15Whoever is found will be run through, and whoever is caught will fall by the sword.
16Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
16Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses will be looted and their wives violated.
17Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it.
17"See, I will stir up the Medes against them, who care nothing for silver and take no delight in gold.
18Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children.
18Their bows will smash the young men to pieces; they will have no pity on the babies, and their eyes will not spare the children."
19And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
19And Babylon, the jewel of kingdoms, the pride and glory of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them.
20It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
20It will never be lived in again or settled from generation to generation; no Arab will pitch his tent there, and no shepherd will rest his flock there.
21But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there.
21But desert creatures will lie there, and their houses will be full of howling animals; owls will live there, and shaggy goats will dance there.
22And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.
22Wild creatures will howl in its empty houses, and jackals in its lovely palaces. Her time is close at hand, and her days will not be dragged out.
14The Taunt Over Babylon's King
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
1For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob and will once again choose Israel and settle them in their own land. Foreigners will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.
2And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
2Peoples will take them and bring them to their own place, and the house of Israel will possess them as male and female servants in the LORD's land. They will take captive those who once held them captive and rule over those who oppressed them.
3And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
3In the day the LORD gives you rest from your suffering and your fear and from the hard labor you were forced to do,
4That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
4you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon and say, "How the oppressor has come to an end! How the golden city has ended!
5The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
5The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers,
6He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
6the one who struck the peoples in fury with blow after blow, who ruled the nations in anger, is now hunted down, and no one stops it.
7The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
7The whole earth is at rest and quiet; it breaks out into singing.
8Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us.
8Even the pine trees rejoice over you, and the cedars of Lebanon say, 'Since you were laid low, no woodcutter has come up against us.'
9Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.
9The grave below is stirred up to meet you when you arrive; it wakes the dead for you, all the leaders of the earth; it raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.
10All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us?
10They will all speak up and say to you, 'So you have become as weak as we are! You have become just like us!'
11Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
11Your splendor has been brought down to the grave, along with the music of your harps; maggots are spread beneath you, and worms cover you.
12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
12How you have fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who brought the nations low!
13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
13For you said in your heart, 'I will climb up to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mountain of assembly, in the far reaches of the north.
14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
14I will rise above the tops of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.'
15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
15Yet you will be brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.
16They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
16Those who see you will stare at you and study you, saying, 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms,
17That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?
17who turned the world into a wilderness and tore down its cities, who would not let his prisoners go home?'
18All the kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.
18All the kings of the nations, every one of them, lie in honor, each in his own tomb.
19But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.
19But you are thrown out of your grave like a rejected branch, covered with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a corpse trampled underfoot.
20Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.
20You will not be joined with them in burial, because you destroyed your land and killed your people. The offspring of evildoers will never be mentioned again."
21Prepare slaughter for his children for the iniquity of their fathers; that they do not rise, nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
21Prepare a place of slaughter for his sons because of the guilt of their fathers, so they never rise up to possess the land and fill the face of the world with cities.
22For I will rise up against them, saith the LORD of hosts, and cut off from Babylon the name, and remnant, and son, and nephew, saith the LORD.
22"I will rise up against them," says the LORD of hosts, "and I will cut off from Babylon her name and her survivors, her children and her descendants," says the LORD.
23I will also make it a possession for the bittern, and pools of water: and I will sweep it with the besom of destruction, saith the LORD of hosts.
23"I will make her a home for marsh birds and a place of swampy pools; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," says the LORD of hosts.
24The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:
24The LORD of hosts has sworn: "Surely as I have planned, so it will happen; as I have purposed, so it will stand.
25That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.
25I will crush the Assyrian in my land and trample him on my mountains; then his yoke will be lifted from my people, and his burden removed from their shoulders."
26This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations.
26This is the plan decided for the whole earth, and this is the hand stretched out over all the nations.
27For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?
27For the LORD of hosts has planned it, and who can cancel it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?
28In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden.
28This message came in the year King Ahaz died:
29Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent.
29Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken, for from the snake's root will come a viper, and its offspring will be a flying, fiery serpent.
30And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.
30The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety; but I will kill your root with famine, and it will slay those of you who remain.
31Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.
31Wail, O gate! Cry out, O city! All you Philistines, melt away with fear! For smoke is coming from the north, and no straggler falls out of its ranks.
32What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.
32What answer will be given to the messengers of that nation? "The LORD has founded Zion, and the poor of his people will find refuge in her."
15The Burden of Moab
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;
1A message of judgment about Moab. In a single night Ar of Moab is destroyed and silenced; in a single night Kir of Moab is destroyed and silenced.
2He is gone up to Bajith, and to Dibon, the high places, to weep: Moab shall howl over Nebo, and over Medeba: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard cut off.
2The people go up to the temple and to Dibon, to the high places, to weep. Moab wails over Nebo and over Medeba; every head is shaved bald, and every beard is cut off.
3In their streets they shall gird themselves with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets, every one shall howl, weeping abundantly.
3In the streets they wrap themselves in sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the squares everyone wails, sobbing without end.
4And Heshbon shall cry, and Elealeh: their voice shall be heard even unto Jahaz: therefore the armed soldiers of Moab shall cry out; his life shall be grievous unto him.
4Heshbon and Elealeh cry out, and their voices are heard as far as Jahaz. That is why the armed soldiers of Moab cry aloud; their very lives fill them with dread.
5My heart shall cry out for Moab; his fugitives shall flee unto Zoar, an heifer of three years old: for by the mounting up of Luhith with weeping shall they go it up; for in the way of Horonaim they shall raise up a cry of destruction.
5My heart cries out for Moab. Her fugitives run as far as Zoar, like a three-year-old heifer. They climb the road to Luhith weeping as they go, and on the way to Horonaim they raise a cry over the destruction.
6For the waters of Nimrim shall be desolate: for the hay is withered away, the grass faileth, there is no green thing.
6The waters of Nimrim have dried up; the hay has withered, the grass is gone, and nothing green is left.
7Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.
7So they carry the wealth they have earned and the goods they have stored away across the Brook of the Willows.
8For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof unto Eglaim, and the howling thereof unto Beerelim.
8The cry has gone all around the borders of Moab; the wailing reaches Eglaim, and the wailing reaches Beer-elim.
9For the waters of Dimon shall be full of blood: for I will bring more upon Dimon, lions upon him that escapeth of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
9The waters of Dimon are full of blood, yet I will bring still more on Dimon: a lion for those who escape from Moab and for those who remain in the land.
16Moab's Plea and Moab's Pride
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.
1Send lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela by way of the desert, to the mountain of the daughter of Zion.
2For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab shall be at the fords of Arnon.
2Like wandering birds pushed out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab will be at the fords of the Arnon.
3Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wandereth.
3"Give us counsel; make a fair decision. Make your shadow like night in the middle of the noonday. Hide the outcasts; do not betray those who are fleeing.
4Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
4Let my outcasts stay with you, Moab; be a shelter to them from the destroyer." For the extortioner will come to an end, the destruction will stop, and the oppressors will vanish from the land.
5And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
5Then a throne will be set up in mercy, and one will sit on it in truth, in the tent of David, judging fairly, seeking justice, and quick to do what is right.
6We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so.
6We have heard of Moab's pride, how very proud he is, of his arrogance, his pride, and his anger; but his boasts are empty.
7Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
7So Moab will wail for Moab; every one of them will wail. You will mourn for the foundations of Kir-hareseth, for surely they are struck down.
8For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.
8For the fields of Heshbon are wasting away, and the vines of Sibmah too. The rulers of the nations have broken down its finest vines, which once reached as far as Jazer and strayed into the desert; its shoots spread out and crossed over the sea.
9Therefore I will bewail with the weeping of Jazer the vine of Sibmah: I will water thee with my tears, O Heshbon, and Elealeh: for the shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen.
9So I weep for the vines of Sibmah as Jazer weeps; I drench you with my tears, Heshbon and Elealeh, for the glad shouting over your summer fruit and your harvest has fallen silent.
10And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.
10Gladness and joy are taken out of the fruitful fields; in the vineyards there is no singing and no glad shouting. No one treads out wine in the presses; I have put an end to the shouting of the harvest.
11Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.
11That is why my heart moans for Moab like a harp, and everything inside me for Kir-haresh.
12And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place, that he shall come to his sanctuary to pray; but he shall not prevail.
12When Moab appears and wears himself out on the high place, when he comes to his sanctuary to pray, it will do him no good.
13This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time.
13This is the word the LORD spoke about Moab in time past.
14But now the LORD hath spoken, saying, Within three years, as the years of an hireling, and the glory of Moab shall be contemned, with all that great multitude; and the remnant shall be very small and feeble.
14But now the LORD says, "Within three years, counted as strictly as a hired worker counts them, the glory of Moab will be brought low, along with all that great crowd, and the few left over will be very small and weak."
17The Burden of Damascus
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.
1A message of judgment about Damascus. Look, Damascus will no longer be a city; it will become a heap of ruins.
2The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.
2The cities of Aroer are abandoned; they will be left to the flocks, which will lie down there with no one to frighten them.
3The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.
3"The fortress will vanish from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and what is left of Syria will be like the faded glory of the children of Israel," says the LORD of hosts.
4And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.
4In that day the glory of Jacob will grow thin, and the fat of his body will waste away.
5And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.
5It will be like a harvester gathering the standing grain and reaping the ears with his arm, like someone gathering ears of grain in the Valley of Rephaim.
6Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.
6"Yet a few gleanings will be left in it, as when an olive tree is shaken: two or three olives at the very top, four or five on its outermost fruitful branches," says the LORD, the God of Israel.
7At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.
7In that day people will look to their Maker, and their eyes will turn to the Holy One of Israel.
8And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.
8They will not look to the altars their own hands have made, nor pay attention to what their fingers have shaped, neither the sacred groves nor the images.
9In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.
9In that day their strong cities will be like a deserted thicket and a bare hilltop, abandoned because of the children of Israel; and there will be desolation.
10Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:
10Because you have forgotten the God who saves you and have not remembered the rock of your strength, you plant lovely plants and set out cuttings from foreign vines.
11In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.
11On the day you plant them you make them grow, and by morning you make your seed blossom; but the harvest will be a heap of ruin in a day of grief and hopeless sorrow.
12Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!
12Woe to the crowd of many peoples that roar like the roaring of the seas, and to the rushing of the nations that rush like the rush of mighty waters!
13The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
13The nations rush on like the rushing of great waters, but God will rebuke them and they will flee far away, chased like chaff on the hills before the wind, like tumbleweed before the storm.
14And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
14At evening, look, there is terror; before morning, they are gone. This is the share of those who plunder us, the lot of those who rob us.
18Envoys from Beyond the Rivers
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
1Woe to the land of whirring wings, which lies beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
2That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!
2which sends envoys by sea in boats of papyrus over the waters. Go, swift messengers, to a nation scattered and stripped, to a people feared from their beginning until now, a nation measured out and trampled down, whose land the rivers have ruined!
3All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
3All you who live in the world, all who dwell on the earth: when a banner is raised on the mountains, look; when a trumpet sounds, listen.
4For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
4For this is what the LORD said to me: "I will stay quiet and look on from my dwelling place, like shimmering heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest."
5For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.
5For before the harvest, when the blossom is finished and the sour grape is ripening from the flower, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives and take away and cut down the spreading branches.
6They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
6They will all be left to the birds of the mountains and the wild animals of the earth; the birds will spend the summer on them, and all the wild animals will spend the winter on them.
7In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
7At that time a gift will be brought to the LORD of hosts from a people scattered and stripped, from a people feared from their beginning until now, a nation measured out and trampled underfoot, whose land the rivers have ruined, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, Mount Zion.
19The Burden of Egypt
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.
1A message of judgment about Egypt. Look, the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the heart of Egypt melts within it.
2And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
2"I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian; they will fight brother against brother and neighbor against neighbor, city against city and kingdom against kingdom.
3And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.
3The spirit of Egypt will fail within it, and I will bring its plans to nothing. They will turn to the idols and the charmers, to the mediums and the wizards.
4And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
4I will hand the Egyptians over to a cruel master, and a fierce king will rule over them," says the Lord, the LORD of hosts.
5And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.
5The waters of the sea will dry up, and the river will be drained and parched.
6And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.
6The rivers will be turned aside; the protecting canals will empty out and dry up, and the reeds and rushes will wither.
7The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.
7The papyrus plants by the river, at the river's mouth, and everything sown along the river will wither, be blown away, and be gone.
8The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.
8The fishermen will groan; all who cast a hook into the river will mourn, and those who spread nets on the water will waste away.
9Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.
9Those who work with fine flax and those who weave fine mesh will be put to shame.
10And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.
10Their plans will be shattered; all who build dams and fish ponds will be crushed.
11Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
11The princes of Zoan are nothing but fools; the advice of Pharaoh's wisest counselors has turned senseless. How can you say to Pharaoh, "I am a son of the wise, a son of ancient kings"?
12Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
12Where are they now? Where are your wise men? Let them tell you, let them find out what the LORD of hosts has planned against Egypt.
13The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.
13The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Noph are deceived. Those who were the cornerstone of its tribes have led Egypt astray.
14The LORD hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.
14The LORD has mixed a spirit of confusion into her; they have made Egypt stagger in everything it does, like a drunk staggering in his own vomit.
15Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.
15There will be nothing Egypt can do, nothing that head or tail, palm branch or reed, can accomplish.
16In that day shall Egypt be like unto women: and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.
16In that day the Egyptians will be like women; they will tremble with fear because of the hand the LORD of hosts raises against them.
17And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.
17The land of Judah will bring terror to Egypt; everyone who so much as mentions it will be afraid, because of the plan the LORD of hosts has decided against Egypt.
18In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.
18In that day five cities in the land of Egypt will speak the language of Canaan and swear loyalty to the LORD of hosts; one of them will be called the City of Destruction.
19In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.
19In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of the land of Egypt, and a stone pillar to the LORD at its border.
20And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.
20It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and a champion, and he will rescue them.
21And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.
21The LORD will make himself known to Egypt, and in that day the Egyptians will know the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them.
22And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.
22The LORD will strike Egypt, striking and then healing. They will turn back to the LORD, and he will listen to their pleas and heal them.
23In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.
23In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will come into Egypt and the Egyptians into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship together with the Assyrians.
24In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
24In that day Israel will stand third alongside Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the middle of the earth,
25Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.
25for the LORD of hosts will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance."
20Isaiah Walks Naked and Barefoot
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it;
1In the year that Tartan, sent by Sargon king of Assyria, came to Ashdod, attacked it, and captured it,
2At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.
2at that same time the LORD spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz, saying, "Go, take the sackcloth off your waist and the sandals off your feet." He did so, walking around naked and barefoot.
3And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
3Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a warning against Egypt and Ethiopia,
4So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.
4so the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks bared, to Egypt's shame.
5And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.
5Then people will be dismayed and ashamed because of Ethiopia, their hope, and Egypt, their pride."
6And the inhabitant of this isle shall say in that day, Behold, such is our expectation, whither we flee for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria: and how shall we escape?
6In that day the people living along this coast will say, "Look what has happened to those we counted on, the ones we ran to for help to be rescued from the king of Assyria! How can we escape now?"
21Babylon Falls, Dumah, and Arabia
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land.
1A message of judgment about the desert by the sea. Like whirlwinds sweeping through the south, it comes from the desert, from a terrifying land.
2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.
2A harsh vision has been shown to me: the traitor betrays, and the destroyer destroys. Go up, Elam! Lay siege, Media! I have put an end to all the groaning she caused.
3Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
3Because of this my body is racked with pain; pangs have seized me like the pangs of a woman in labor. I am doubled over by what I hear; I am shaken by what I see.
4My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
4My heart pounds; terror overwhelms me. The evening I longed for has been turned into a night of dread.
5Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.
5They set the table, post the watch, eat and drink. Get up, you princes, and oil your shields!
6For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.
6For this is what the LORD said to me: "Go, post a lookout, and let him report what he sees."
7And he saw a chariot with a couple of horsemen, a chariot of asses, and a chariot of camels; and he hearkened diligently with much heed:
7He saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, a chariot drawn by donkeys, and a chariot drawn by camels, and he listened carefully, with great attention.
8And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:
8Then he called out, "A lion! My lord, I stand on the watchtower all day long, and I am stationed at my post all night long.
9And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
9And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen." Then he answered, "Babylon has fallen, has fallen! All the carved images of her gods lie shattered on the ground."
10O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you.
10O my people, threshed and winnowed on my threshing floor, what I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, I have told you.
11The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
11A message of judgment about Dumah. Someone calls to me from Seir, "Watchman, how much of the night is left? Watchman, how much of the night is left?"
12The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
12The watchman replies, "Morning is coming, but night will come too. If you want to ask, then ask; come back again."
13The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
13A message of judgment about Arabia. You caravans of Dedanites, you will camp in the thickets of Arabia.
14The inhabitants of the land of Tema brought water to him that was thirsty, they prevented with their bread him that fled.
14The people of the land of Tema brought water to the thirsty; they met the fugitives with bread.
15For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war.
15For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, from the bent bow, and from the horrors of war.
16For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail:
16For this is what the LORD said to me: "Within one year, counted as strictly as a hired worker counts it, all the glory of Kedar will come to an end,
17And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it.
17and the archers who are left, the warriors of the people of Kedar, will be few." For the LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken.
22The Valley of Vision and Shebna
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?
1A message of judgment about the Valley of Vision. What is the matter with you now, that all of you have gone up on the rooftops,
2Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, a joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle.
2you town full of noise and uproar, you carefree city? Your dead were not killed by the sword, nor did they die in battle.
3All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far.
3All your leaders fled together, and they were captured by the archers; everyone found in you was taken prisoner together, though they had run far away.
4Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
4So I said, "Look away from me; let me weep bitterly. Do not try to comfort me over the ruin of the daughter of my people."
5For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.
5For the Lord GOD of hosts has a day of panic, trampling, and confusion in the Valley of Vision, a day of walls breaking down and of cries echoing to the mountains.
6And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
6Elam took up the quiver, with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.
7And it shall come to pass, that thy choicest valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall set themselves in array at the gate.
7Your finest valleys are filled with chariots, and the horsemen take up positions at the gate.
8And he discovered the covering of Judah, and thou didst look in that day to the armour of the house of the forest.
8The defenses of Judah are stripped away. In that day you looked to the weapons in the House of the Forest;
9Ye have seen also the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and ye gathered together the waters of the lower pool.
9you saw how many breaks there were in the wall of the City of David, and you stored up water in the lower pool.
10And ye have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses have ye broken down to fortify the wall.
10You counted the houses of Jerusalem and tore some of them down to strengthen the wall.
11Ye made also a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: but ye have not looked unto the maker thereof, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago.
11You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to the one who made it; you paid no attention to the one who planned it long ago.
12And in that day did the Lord GOD of hosts call to weeping, and to mourning, and to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
12In that day the Lord GOD of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for shaved heads and the wearing of sackcloth.
13And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
13But look, there was joy and celebration instead: slaughtering oxen and killing sheep, eating meat and drinking wine. "Let us eat and drink," you said, "for tomorrow we die."
14And it was revealed in mine ears by the LORD of hosts, Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till ye die, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
14The LORD of hosts revealed this in my hearing: "Surely this sin will not be forgiven you until the day you die," says the Lord GOD of hosts.
15Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say,
15This is what the Lord GOD of hosts says: "Go to this steward, to Shebna, who is in charge of the palace, and say to him:"
16What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock?
16"What right do you have here, and who do you have here, that you have cut out a tomb for yourself in this place, carving your tomb up on the height, chiseling a resting place for yourself in the rock?
17Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.
17Look, the LORD is about to carry you off into a harsh captivity; he will surely wrap you up tight.
18He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house.
18He will roll you up like a ball and fling you into a wide, open land. There you will die, and there your splendid chariots will become the disgrace of your master's house.
19And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down.
19I will throw you out of your office; you will be pulled down from your position.
20And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
20In that day I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
21And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.
21I will dress him in your robe and fasten your sash around him, and I will put your authority into his hands. He will be a father to the people of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
22And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
22I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; what he opens no one will shut, and what he shuts no one will open.
23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
23I will fasten him like a peg in a firm place, and he will be a seat of honor for his father's house.
24And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.
24They will hang on him all the weight of his father's house, its children and its descendants, every small container, from the cups to all the jars."
25In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
25"In that day," says the LORD of hosts, "the peg that was fastened in the firm place will give way; it will be cut down and fall, and the load that hung on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken."
23The Burden of Tyre
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
1A message about Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed; not a house is left, no harbor to enter. The news reached them from the land of Cyprus.
2Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
2Fall silent, you people of the coast, you whom the merchants of Sidon, sailing across the sea, kept well supplied.
3And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
3Over the wide waters came the grain of the Nile, the harvest of the river, and that was her income; she was the marketplace of the nations.
4Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
4Be ashamed, Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying, "I have never been in labor or given birth; I have raised no young men and brought up no young women."
5As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
5When the news reaches Egypt, they will writhe in anguish at the report about Tyre.
6Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
6Cross over to Tarshish; wail, you people of the coast.
7Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
7Is this your city full of joy, whose beginnings lie in ancient days, whose own feet used to carry her to settle in distant lands?
8Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
8Who planned this against Tyre, the city that handed out crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the most honored people on earth?
9The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
9The LORD of hosts planned it, to bring low the pride of all that glory and to humble all the honored people of the earth.
10Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
10Spread out over your land like the Nile, daughter of Tarshish; there is nothing left to hold you in.
11He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
11He stretched out his hand over the sea and made kingdoms tremble; the LORD has given an order against the merchant city, to tear down her strongholds.
12And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
12He said, "You will never celebrate again, crushed young daughter of Sidon. Get up, cross over to Cyprus; even there you will find no rest."
13Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
13Look at the land of the Babylonians; this people did not exist until Assyria made it a home for desert creatures. They raised their siege towers, they stripped its palaces bare, and he turned it into a ruin.
14Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
14Wail, you ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is destroyed.
15And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
15In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, the length of one king's reign. When the seventy years are over, it will be with Tyre as in the song about the prostitute:
16Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
16"Pick up a harp, walk around the city, you forgotten prostitute; play sweetly, sing many songs, so that people will remember you."
17And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
17At the end of seventy years the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will go back to her hire and sell herself to all the kingdoms of the world across the face of the earth.
18And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
18But her profits and her wages will be set apart for the LORD. They will not be stored or hoarded away; her earnings will go to those who live in the LORD's presence, so they can eat their fill and dress in fine clothing.
24The Earth Laid Waste
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
1Look, the LORD is going to empty the earth and lay it waste; he will turn it upside down and scatter the people who live on it.
2And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.
2It will be the same for everyone: for the people and the priest, for the servant and his master, for the maid and her mistress, for the buyer and the seller, for the lender and the borrower, for the one who charges interest and the one who pays it.
3The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
3The earth will be completely emptied and completely plundered, for the LORD has spoken this word.
4The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
4The earth dries up and withers, the world wilts and withers, the proud people of the earth waste away.
5The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
5The earth is polluted by the people who live on it, because they have broken the laws, changed the rules, and shattered the everlasting covenant.
6Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
6That is why a curse devours the earth and those who live on it must bear their guilt. That is why the earth's people are burned up and only a few are left.
7The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
7The new wine dries up, the vine withers, and all who were once merry now groan.
8The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth.
8The cheerful beat of the tambourines has stopped, the noise of the partygoers has ended, the joyful harp has gone quiet.
9They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
9No one drinks wine with a song anymore; strong drink tastes bitter to those who drink it.
10The city of confusion is broken down: every house is shut up, that no man may come in.
10The city of chaos lies broken; every house is shut up so that no one can enter.
11There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
11In the streets people cry out for wine; all joy has turned to darkness, and the gladness of the land is gone.
12In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
12Nothing is left in the city but ruin; its gate is battered to pieces.
13When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree, and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
13This is how it will be in the middle of the land, among the nations: like an olive tree after it has been beaten, like the few grapes left after the harvest is done.
14They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
14They will raise their voices and sing for the majesty of the LORD; they will shout from the west.
15Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
15So give glory to the LORD in the east, and to the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea.
16From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the righteous. But I said, My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea, the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously.
16From the farthest edge of the earth we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One." But I said, "I am wasting away, I am wasting away! Woe to me! The traitors betray; yes, the traitors betray with terrible treachery."
17Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth.
17Terror, the pit, and the trap are waiting for you, you people of the earth.
18And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.
18Whoever runs from the sound of terror will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in the trap. For the windows of heaven are opened and the foundations of the earth are shaking.
19The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
19The earth is broken to pieces, the earth is split wide open, the earth is shaken violently.
20The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
20The earth staggers like a drunk and sways like a hut in the wind; its rebellion weighs heavy upon it, and it falls, never to rise again.
21And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.
21In that day the LORD will punish the powers of the heavens above and the kings of the earth below.
22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.
22They will be herded together like prisoners in a dungeon and locked in a prison, and after many days they will be dealt with.
23Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
23Then the moon will be put to shame and the sun embarrassed, for the LORD of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, in glory before his elders.
25A Song for the Fallen City
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
1O LORD, you are my God; I will lift you high and praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans made long ago, faithful and true.
2For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built.
2You have turned a city into a pile of rubble, a fortified town into a ruin; the strangers' fortress is no longer a city, and it will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee.
3So strong peoples will honor you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.
4For you have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in their trouble, a shelter from the storm and shade from the heat, when the breath of the ruthless is like a storm beating against a wall.
5Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low.
5You silence the uproar of strangers as heat is silenced in a dry land; as heat fades under the shadow of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is hushed.
6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
6On this mountain the LORD of hosts will prepare a feast for all peoples, a feast of rich food and aged wines, of the richest food and the finest, clearest wine.
7And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
7On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that covers all peoples, the veil that hangs over all nations.
8He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.
8He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe the tears from every face; he will remove the disgrace of his people from the whole earth. The LORD has spoken.
9And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
9In that day people will say, "Look, this is our God! We waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the LORD; we waited for him. Let us be glad and celebrate his salvation."
10For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill.
10For the LORD's hand will rest on this mountain, but Moab will be trampled under him like straw trampled into a manure pit.
11And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands.
11Moab will spread out its hands in it as a swimmer spreads out his hands to swim, but he will bring down its pride along with the clever work of its hands.
12And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust.
12He will tear down your high fortified walls, bring them low, and throw them to the ground, into the dust.
26The Song of the Strong City
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
1In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and its outer defenses.
2Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
2"Open the gates so the righteous nation that keeps faith may come in.
3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
3"You keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is fixed on you, because he trusts in you.
4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
4"Trust in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.
5For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.
5"He brings down those who live up high; he levels the lofty city, he flattens it to the ground, he throws it into the dust.
6The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy.
6"Feet trample it down, the feet of the poor, the footsteps of the needy."
7The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
7The path of the righteous is level; you, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
8Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
8Yes, LORD, we wait for you on the path of your judgments; our hearts long for your name and for the memory of you.
9With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
9My soul longs for you in the night; yes, my spirit within me seeks you at dawn. For when your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn what is right.
10Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.
10Even if kindness is shown to the wicked, they do not learn what is right; in a land of honest dealing they still act unjustly and refuse to see the majesty of the LORD.
11LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.
11LORD, your hand is raised, but they do not see it. Let them see your passion for your people and be ashamed; let the fire reserved for your enemies consume them.
12LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
12LORD, you will establish peace for us, for everything we have accomplished you have done for us.
13O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
13O LORD our God, other masters besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone is the one we honor.
14They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.
14They are dead; they will not live. They are departed spirits; they will not rise. You punished them and destroyed them and wiped out every memory of them.
15Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth.
15You have made the nation grow, O LORD; you have made the nation grow. You have won glory for yourself; you have pushed back all the borders of the land.
16LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.
16LORD, in their trouble they came looking for you; they poured out whispered prayers when your discipline was on them.
17Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O LORD.
17Like a pregnant woman near her time, writhing and crying out in her pain, so were we in your presence, O LORD.
18We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.
18We were pregnant, we writhed in pain, but we gave birth only to wind. We have brought no deliverance to the earth, and the people of the world have not been born.
19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.
19But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Wake up and shout for joy, you who lie in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will give up its dead.
20Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
20Come, my people, go into your rooms and shut the doors behind you. Hide yourselves for a little while, until the anger has passed by.
21For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.
21For look, the LORD is coming out of his dwelling place to punish the people of the earth for their sin. The earth will uncover the blood shed on it and will no longer hide its slain.
27Leviathan Slain and the Vineyard Kept
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.
1In that day the LORD, with his hard, great, and mighty sword, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent; he will kill the monster that lives in the sea.
2In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine.
2In that day, sing about her: "A vineyard of red wine!
3I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.
3"I, the LORD, watch over it; I water it constantly. I guard it day and night so that no one can harm it.
4Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together.
4"I am not angry. If only there were briers and thorns to fight me! I would march against them; I would burn them all together.
5Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
5"Or else let them take hold of my strength and make peace with me; yes, let them make peace with me."
6He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.
6In days to come the descendants of Jacob will take root; Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole world with fruit.
7Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?
7Has the LORD struck Israel as he struck those who struck her? Has she been killed as her killers were killed?
8In measure, when it shooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it: he stayeth his rough wind in the day of the east wind.
8By sending her away, by driving her out, you argued your case with her; with his fierce blast he swept her away on the day the east wind blew.
9By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit to take away his sin; when he maketh all the stones of the altar as chalkstones that are beaten in sunder, the groves and images shall not stand up.
9So by this Jacob's guilt will be paid for, and this will be the full fruit of taking away his sin: when he makes all the altar stones like chalk crushed to powder, and no sacred poles or incense altars are left standing.
10Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.
10Still, the fortified city stands empty, an abandoned settlement, deserted like the wilderness. Calves graze there; they lie down and strip its branches bare.
11When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.
11When its twigs dry out, they are snapped off, and women come and use them for firewood. For this is a people without understanding; so their Maker will have no mercy on them, and the one who formed them will show them no kindness.
12And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.
12In that day the LORD will beat out the grain from the channel of the Euphrates to the Brook of Egypt, and you will be gathered up one by one, you people of Israel.
13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
13In that day a great trumpet will sound, and those who were perishing in the land of Assyria and those driven out into the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.
28Woe to the Drunkards of Ephraim
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!
1How terrible for the proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim, for the fading flower of its glorious beauty, set on the head of the rich valley of those knocked flat by wine!
2Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
2Look, the Lord has someone mighty and strong. Like a hailstorm and a destroying wind, like a flood of rushing water overflowing its banks, he will throw it down to the ground with his hand.
3The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
3The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trampled underfoot.
4And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.
4And the fading flower of its glorious beauty, set on the head of the rich valley, will be like the first ripe fig before summer: whoever sees it grabs it and swallows it as soon as it is in his hand.
5In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
5In that day the LORD of hosts will be a crown of glory and a beautiful wreath for the rest of his people,
6And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
6a spirit of justice for the one who sits in judgment, and strength for those who turn back the battle at the gate.
7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.
7But these too reel with wine and stagger from strong drink. Priest and prophet reel with strong drink; they are swallowed up by wine, they stagger from strong drink, they reel while seeing visions, they stumble when giving judgments.
8For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.
8Every table is covered with vomit and filth; there is not a clean spot left.
9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
9"Who is he trying to teach? Who is he explaining his message to? Babies just weaned from milk, just taken from the breast?
10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
10"For it is order upon order, order upon order; rule upon rule, rule upon rule; a little here, a little there."
11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
11Very well, then, with stammering lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to this people,
12To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
12the ones he told, "This is the resting place; let the weary rest. This is the place of refreshing," but they refused to listen.
13But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
13So the word of the LORD will become for them order upon order, order upon order; rule upon rule, rule upon rule; a little here, a little there, so that they will go and fall backward and be broken, snared, and captured.
14Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
14So hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers who rule this people in Jerusalem.
15Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
15You have said, "We have made a deal with death, and we have an agreement with the grave. When the overwhelming flood sweeps through, it will not reach us, for we have made lies our shelter and hidden ourselves behind falsehood."
16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
16Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: "Look, I am laying a stone in Zion as a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever trusts in it will not panic.
17Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
17"I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line. Hail will sweep away your shelter of lies, and water will flood your hiding place.
18And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.
18"Your deal with death will be canceled, and your agreement with the grave will not stand. When the overwhelming flood sweeps through, you will be beaten down by it.
19From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.
19"Every time it passes through it will carry you off; morning after morning it will sweep through, by day and by night." Just understanding this message will bring sheer terror.
20For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
20The bed is too short to stretch out on, and the blanket too narrow to wrap up in.
21For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.
21The LORD will rise up as he did at Mount Perazim; he will be stirred to anger as he was in the Valley of Gibeon, to do his work, his strange work, and to carry out his task, his unusual task.
22Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
22So now, stop your mocking, or your chains will be made heavier, for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts that destruction has been decreed against the whole land.
23Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.
23Listen closely and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.
24Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?
24Does a farmer plow all day long just to plant? Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing his soil?
25When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?
25Once he has leveled its surface, doesn't he scatter dill and sow cumin, plant wheat in rows and barley in its place and spelt along the edge?
26For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.
26His God instructs him in the right way and teaches him.
27For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.
27Dill is not threshed with a sledge, and a cart wheel is not rolled over cumin; dill is beaten out with a stick and cumin with a rod.
28Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.
28Grain for bread must be ground, but no one threshes it forever; he drives his cart wheels and horses over it, but he does not crush it to powder.
29This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
29This too comes from the LORD of hosts, whose plans are wonderful and whose wisdom is great.
29Woe to Ariel, the City of David
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
1How terrible for Ariel, Ariel, the city where David camped! Add year to year; let the festivals go around.
2Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel.
2Yet I will bring trouble on Ariel; there will be mourning and sorrow, and she will be to me like an altar hearth.
3And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee.
3I will camp all around you; I will surround you with siege towers and raise my ramparts against you.
4And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.
4You will be brought down and speak from the ground; your words will come muffled from the dust. Your voice will rise from the ground like the voice of a ghost, and your speech will whisper from the dust.
5Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like small dust, and the multitude of the terrible ones shall be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant suddenly.
5But the crowd of your enemies will become like fine dust, the crowd of the ruthless like chaff blowing away. It will happen suddenly, in an instant.
6Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.
6The LORD of hosts will come to you with thunder and earthquake and a great roar, with windstorm and tempest and the flame of a devouring fire.
7And the multitude of all the nations that fight against Ariel, even all that fight against her and her munition, and that distress her, shall be as a dream of a night vision.
7Then the crowd of all the nations that fight against Ariel, all who attack her and her fortress and bring her trouble, will be like a dream, a vision in the night.
8It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.
8It will be as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, but wakes up still hungry; or as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, but wakes up faint, his thirst unsatisfied. So it will be with the crowd of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion.
9Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
9Stop and be amazed; blind yourselves and be blind. They are drunk, but not from wine; they stagger, but not from strong drink.
10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
10For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has closed your eyes, the prophets; he has covered your heads, the seers.
11And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
11The whole vision has become for you like the words of a sealed scroll. If you hand it to someone who can read and say, "Please read this," he answers, "I can't; it is sealed."
12And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
12And if you hand the scroll to someone who cannot read and say, "Please read this," he answers, "I don't know how to read."
13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
13So the Lord says: "These people come near me with their mouths and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is only a rule taught by men.
14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
14"Therefore, look, I will once again do amazing things among this people, wonder after wonder; the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the understanding of their clever men will vanish."
15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?
15How terrible for those who dig deep to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in the dark and say, "Who sees us? Who knows what we do?"
16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
16You have everything backward! Should the potter be treated like the clay? Can the thing that was made say of its maker, "He didn't make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He doesn't know what he's doing"?
17Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?
17In just a little while, won't Lebanon be turned into an orchard, and the orchard seem like a forest?
18And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.
18In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
19The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
19The humble will find new joy in the LORD, and the poorest people will celebrate the Holy One of Israel.
20For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:
20For the ruthless will be gone, the mockers will vanish, and all who are eager to do evil will be cut off,
21That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.
21those who condemn a man over a single word, who set a trap for the one who argues a case in court, and who cheat the innocent with empty lies.
22Therefore thus saith the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale.
22Therefore this is what the LORD, who rescued Abraham, says about the family of Jacob: "Jacob will no longer be ashamed; his face will no longer grow pale.
23But when he seeth his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.
23"When he sees his children, the work of my hands, among him, they will honor my name as holy; they will honor the Holy One of Jacob as holy and stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.
24"Those whose spirits went astray will come to understanding, and those who grumbled will accept instruction."
30Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
1"How terrible for the rebellious children," says the LORD, "who make plans, but not with me, and who weave alliances, but not by my Spirit, piling sin on top of sin;
2That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
2who set out to go down to Egypt without ever asking me, hoping to make themselves strong with Pharaoh's strength and to shelter in Egypt's shadow!
3Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
3So Pharaoh's strength will turn out to be your shame, and sheltering in Egypt's shadow will be your disgrace.
4For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
4For his officials have reached Zoan, and his messengers have arrived at Hanes.
5They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be an help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
5Every one of them will be ashamed of a people who can do nothing for them, who bring no help and no benefit, only shame and disgrace."
6The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
6A message about the animals of the south: Through a land of trouble and hardship, home of the lioness and the lion, the viper and the darting venomous snake, they carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people who can do them no good.
7For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
7For Egypt's help is worthless and empty. That is why I have said about her, "Her strength is to sit still."
8Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
8Now go, write it on a tablet in front of them and record it in a book, so that it will stand for the days to come, for ever and ever:
9That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
9that this is a rebellious people, children who lie, children who will not listen to the teaching of the LORD.
10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
10They say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not tell us what is right. Tell us pleasant things; prophesy illusions.
11Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
11Get out of the way, step off the path, and stop putting the Holy One of Israel in front of us."
12Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
12So this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you reject this word and put your trust in oppression and crookedness, and lean on them,
13Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
13this sin will be for you like a crack in a high wall, bulging out and ready to fall, which collapses suddenly, in an instant.
14And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
14He will smash it the way a potter's jar is smashed, shattered so completely, without any mercy, that among the broken pieces not one shard is found big enough to scoop up fire from the hearth or dip water from a cistern."
15For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
15For this is what the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "If you come back to me and rest, you will be saved; your strength will come from being quiet and trusting. But you would not have it.
16But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
16You said, 'No, we will run away on horses.' So you will run away. And you said, 'We will ride on swift horses.' So those who chase you will be swift.
17One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.
17A thousand of you will run at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all run, until you are left like a lone pole on a mountaintop, like a flag on a hill."
18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
18And so the LORD waits, so that he may show you kindness; and so he rises up, so that he may show you mercy. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all who wait for him.
19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.
19For the people will live in Zion, in Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will be very kind to you when you cry out; as soon as he hears it, he will answer you.
20And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
20And though the Lord gives you the bread of hardship and the water of suffering, your teachers will no longer be hidden away in a corner; your own eyes will see your teachers.
21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
21And your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left.
22Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.
22Then you will treat as unclean your silver-plated carved idols and your gold-covered cast idols. You will throw them away like a soiled rag and say to them, "Get out of here!"
23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
23Then he will send rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food the earth produces will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in wide pastures.
24The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear the ground shall eat clean provender, which hath been winnowed with the shovel and with the fan.
24The oxen and the young donkeys that work the ground will eat seasoned fodder that has been winnowed with shovel and fork.
25And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
25On every high mountain and every high hill there will be rivers and streams of water, in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.
26Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound.
26And the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven days, in the day the LORD binds up the injury of his people and heals the wound his blow has left.
27Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:
27Look, the name of the LORD is coming from far away, burning with his anger, and the weight of it is heavy. His lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a consuming fire.
28And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err.
28His breath is like a flooding stream that rises up to the neck. He comes to sift the nations in a sieve of ruin, and to put a bridle in the jaws of the peoples that leads them astray.
29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.
29But you will have a song, like the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart, like someone walking to the sound of a flute up to the mountain of the LORD, to the Mighty One of Israel.
30And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.
30And the LORD will make his majestic voice heard and show his arm coming down in furious anger, with the flame of a consuming fire, with cloudburst, storm, and hailstones.
31For through the voice of the LORD shall the Assyrian be beaten down, which smote with a rod.
31For the Assyrian, who struck with a rod, will be beaten down by the voice of the LORD.
32And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will he fight with it.
32And every stroke of the appointed staff that the LORD lays on him will fall to the music of tambourines and harps; with arm raised in battle he will fight against him.
33For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.
33For Tophet has long been made ready; yes, it is prepared for the king. He has made it deep and wide, its fire pit piled high with wood, and the breath of the LORD sets it ablaze like a stream of burning sulfur.
31Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
1How terrible for those who go down to Egypt for help, who lean on horses, who trust in chariots because there are so many and in horsemen because they are so strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek the LORD!
2Yet he also is wise, and will bring evil, and will not call back his words: but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of them that work iniquity.
2Yet he too is wise, and he will bring disaster; he will not take back his words. He will rise up against the house of evildoers and against those who help people who do wrong.
3Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the LORD shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together.
3The Egyptians are human, not God, and their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out his hand, the helper will stumble and the one being helped will fall, and they will all perish together.
4For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.
4For this is what the LORD has said to me: "As a lion or a young lion growls over its prey, and though a whole band of shepherds is called out against it, it is not frightened by their shouting or cowed by their noise, so the LORD of hosts will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its hill.
5As birds flying, so will the LORD of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.
5Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of hosts will shield Jerusalem; he will shield it and rescue it, he will pass over it and keep it safe."
6Turn ye unto him from whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted.
6Turn back to the one against whom the people of Israel have so deeply rebelled.
7For in that day every man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your own hands have made unto you for a sin.
7For in that day every one of you will throw away the idols of silver and the idols of gold that your own sinful hands have made for you.
8Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.
8"Then the Assyrian will fall by a sword that is not a man's; a sword not held by any human will devour him. He will run from the sword, and his young men will be routed.
9And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
9In terror he will flee past his stronghold, and his officers will panic at the sight of the battle flag," says the LORD, whose fire is in Zion and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.
32A King Will Reign in Righteousness
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
1Look, a king will reign in righteousness, and rulers will govern with justice.
2And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
2Each of them will be like a place to hide from the wind, a cover from the storm, like streams of water in a parched place, like the shade of a great rock in a land where travelers are worn out.
3And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.
3Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be dim, and the ears of those who hear will pay attention.
4The heart also of the rash shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speak plainly.
4The mind of the hasty will grasp knowledge, and the tongue of the stammerer will speak quickly and clearly.
5The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
5The scoundrel will no longer be called noble, nor the cheat called generous.
6For the vile person will speak villany, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and to utter error against the LORD, to make empty the soul of the hungry, and he will cause the drink of the thirsty to fail.
6For the scoundrel speaks wickedness and his heart plots evil, practicing ungodliness and speaking error against the LORD, leaving the hungry with empty stomachs and taking away drink from the thirsty.
7The instruments also of the churl are evil: he deviseth wicked devices to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaketh right.
7The cheat's methods are evil too; he devises wicked schemes to ruin the poor with lies, even when the needy person's case is just.
8But the liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things shall he stand.
8But the noble person plans noble things, and by noble things he stands firm.
9Rise up, ye women that are at ease; hear my voice, ye careless daughters; give ear unto my speech.
9Get up, you women who live at ease, and hear my voice; you carefree daughters, listen to what I say.
10Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.
10For days and years to come you carefree women will be troubled, for the grape harvest will fail and the gathering of fruit will never come.
11Tremble, ye women that are at ease; be troubled, ye careless ones: strip you, and make you bare, and gird sackcloth upon your loins.
11Tremble, you women at ease; shake, you carefree ones. Strip off your fine clothes and bare yourselves, and tie sackcloth around your waists.
12They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.
12They will mourn, beating their breasts, over the pleasant fields and the fruitful vine,
13Upon the land of my people shall come up thorns and briers; yea, upon all the houses of joy in the joyous city:
13and over the land of my people, where thorns and briers will spring up; yes, over all the happy houses in the joyful city.
14Because the palaces shall be forsaken; the multitude of the city shall be left; the forts and towers shall be for dens for ever, a joy of wild asses, a pasture of flocks;
14For the palaces will be abandoned and the crowded city deserted. The fortress and watchtower will become dens forever, a delight for wild donkeys, a pasture for flocks,
15Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.
15until the Spirit is poured out on us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field seems like a forest.
16Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
16Then justice will live in the wilderness, and righteousness will make its home in the fruitful field.
17And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
17The fruit of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
18And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
18My people will live in a peaceful home, in secure houses, in quiet resting places,
19When it shall hail, coming down on the forest; and the city shall be low in a low place.
19even when hail comes down and flattens the forest, and the city is leveled to the ground.
20Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth thither the feet of the ox and the ass.
20How blessed you will be, sowing seed beside every stream and letting your ox and donkey range there freely.
33Woe to the Destroyer, and Zion Secure
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.
1How terrible for you, destroyer, who have never been destroyed; you traitor, whom no one has betrayed! When you finish destroying, you will be destroyed; when you are done betraying, you will be betrayed.
2O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited for thee: be thou their arm every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble.
2O LORD, be gracious to us; we have waited for you. Be their strong arm every morning, and our salvation in the time of trouble.
3At the noise of the tumult the people fled; at the lifting up of thyself the nations were scattered.
3At the sound of the uproar the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter.
4And your spoil shall be gathered like the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.
4Your plunder will be gathered up as the caterpillar gathers; as locusts rush back and forth, so people will rush upon it.
5The LORD is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.
5The LORD is exalted, for he lives on high; he has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.
6And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
6Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and a rich store of salvation; the fear of the LORD is his treasure.
7Behold, their valiant ones shall cry without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly.
7Look, their brave men cry out in the streets; the messengers of peace weep bitterly.
8The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.
8The highways are deserted; no travelers are on the roads. He has broken the treaty, despised the cities, and cares for no one.
9The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.
9The land mourns and wastes away. Lebanon is shamed and withers; Sharon has become like a desert, and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruit.
10Now will I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now will I lift up myself.
10"Now I will rise up," says the LORD. "Now I will be exalted; now I will lift myself up.
11Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.
11You conceive chaff and give birth to stubble; your own breath is a fire that will consume you.
12And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
12The peoples will be burned to lime, like thorns cut down and set on fire.
13Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
13Hear what I have done, you who are far away; and you who are near, acknowledge my might."
14The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
14The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling has seized the godless. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?"
15He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
15The one who walks righteously and speaks honestly, who refuses to profit from oppression, who shakes his hands free of bribes, who stops his ears against plots of bloodshed and shuts his eyes against evil,
16He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
16that person will live on the heights; his refuge will be a fortress of rock. His bread will be provided, and his water will not fail.
17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.
17Your eyes will see the king in his beauty; they will look on a land that stretches far away.
18Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?
18Your heart will think back on the terror: "Where is the scribe? Where is the one who weighed the tribute? Where is the one who counted the towers?"
19Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.
19You will no longer see those fierce people, a people whose speech is too hard to grasp, whose stammering tongue you cannot understand.
20Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
20Look at Zion, the city of our festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem as a peaceful home, a tent that will never be taken down; not one of its stakes will ever be pulled up, and not one of its ropes will be broken.
21But there the glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.
21There the LORD in his glory will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams, where no galley with oars will go and no mighty ship will pass.
22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
22For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.
23Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
23Your ropes hang loose; they cannot hold the mast firm or spread the sail. Then a great pile of plunder will be divided, and even the lame will carry off the loot.
24And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.
24No one living there will say, "I am sick"; the people who live there will have their sins forgiven.
34The LORD's Sword Falls on Edom
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it.
1Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples. Let the earth hear, and everything in it; the world, and everything that comes from it.
2For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
2For the LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He has devoted them to destruction; he has handed them over to be slaughtered.
3Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
3Their dead will be thrown out, the stench will rise from their corpses, and the mountains will melt with their blood.
4And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.
4The whole army of heaven will melt away, and the skies will be rolled up like a scroll. All their host will fall, like a withered leaf from the vine, like a shriveled fig dropping from the fig tree.
5For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse, to judgment.
5"For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens. Look, it comes down on Edom, on the people I have doomed, to bring judgment."
6The sword of the LORD is filled with blood, it is made fat with fatness, and with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams: for the LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea.
6The sword of the LORD is covered with blood; it is smeared with fat, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
7And the unicorns shall come down with them, and the bullocks with the bulls; and their land shall be soaked with blood, and their dust made fat with fatness.
7The wild oxen will fall with them, and the young bulls with the mighty bulls. Their land will be drenched with blood, and their soil made rich with fat.
8For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
8For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of paying back on behalf of Zion's cause.
9And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
9Its streams will be turned into pitch and its soil into sulfur; its land will become burning tar.
10It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
10It will not be put out night or day; its smoke will rise forever. From generation to generation it will lie in ruins; no one will ever pass through it again.
11But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it: and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness.
11The cormorant and the bittern will take it over; the owl and the raven will live there. He will stretch over it the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of emptiness.
12They shall call the nobles thereof to the kingdom, but none shall be there, and all her princes shall be nothing.
12They will call its nobles to the kingdom, but none will be there, and all its princes will come to nothing.
13And thorns shall come up in her palaces, nettles and brambles in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be an habitation of dragons, and a court for owls.
13Thorns will grow up in its palaces, nettles and brambles in its fortresses. It will be a home for jackals and a courtyard for owls.
14The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.
14Wild beasts of the desert will meet with wild beasts of the coast, and the wild goat will call out to its mate; the screech owl will also settle there and find herself a place to rest.
15There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.
15There the great owl will make her nest, lay her eggs, hatch them, and gather her young under her wings; there the vultures will also gather, each one with its mate.
16Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
16Search the book of the LORD and read: not one of these will be missing, not one will lack its mate. For his mouth has given the command, and his Spirit has gathered them.
17And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it unto them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation shall they dwell therein.
17He has cast the lot for them, and his hand has measured out the land for them with a line. They will possess it forever; from generation to generation they will live there.
35The Desert Blossoms and the Highway Home
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.
2It will burst into bloom and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God.
3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
3Strengthen the weak hands and steady the shaking knees.
4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
4Say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong; do not be afraid. Look, your God will come with vengeance, God himself with repayment; he will come and save you."
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
6Then the lame will leap like a stag, and the tongue of the mute will sing. For water will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
7And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
7The scorched ground will become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay there will be grass, with reeds and rushes.
8And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
8And a highway will be there, a road that will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it; it will be for those who walk that way, and even fools who travel it will not lose their way.
9No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
9No lion will be there, and no hungry beast will come up on it; none will be found there. But the redeemed will walk there,
10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
10and those the LORD has ransomed will return. They will come to Zion singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They will find joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing will run away.
36The Rabshakeh at the Wall of Jerusalem
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.
1In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria marched against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.
2And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to Jerusalem unto king Hezekiah with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.
2The king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem with a large army. He took his stand by the channel of the upper pool, on the road to the Launderer's Field.
3Then came forth unto him Eliakim, Hilkiah’s son, which was over the house, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, Asaph’s son, the recorder.
3Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, went out to him, along with Shebna the secretary and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder.
4And Rabshakeh said unto them, Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria, What confidence is this wherein thou trustest?
4Rabshakeh said to them, "Tell Hezekiah this: The great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is this confidence you are leaning on?
5I say, sayest thou, (but they are but vain words) I have counsel and strength for war: now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?
5You say you have strategy and strength for war, but those are only empty words. Whom are you relying on, that you dare rebel against me?
6Lo, thou trustest in the staff of this broken reed, on Egypt; whereon if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
6Look, you are relying on Egypt, that cracked reed of a walking stick, which runs into the hand of anyone who leans on it and stabs it. That is what Pharaoh king of Egypt is to everyone who trusts him.
7But if thou say to me, We trust in the LORD our God: is it not he, whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah hath taken away, and said to Judah and to Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar?
7But if you tell me, 'We trust in the LORD our God,' is he not the one whose high places and altars Hezekiah removed, telling Judah and Jerusalem, 'You must worship in front of this altar'?
8Now therefore give pledges, I pray thee, to my master the king of Assyria, and I will give thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
8Come now, make a bargain with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you can find riders to put on them.
9How then wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master’s servants, and put thy trust on Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
9How could you turn back even one officer among the least of my master's servants, when you rely on Egypt for chariots and horsemen?
10And am I now come up without the LORD against this land to destroy it? the LORD said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it.
10And have I come up to attack and destroy this land without the LORD? The LORD himself said to me, 'Go up against this land and destroy it.'"
11Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall.
11Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of the Jews while the people on the wall are listening."
12But Rabshakeh said, Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee to speak these words? hath he not sent me to the men that sit upon the wall, that they may eat their own dung, and drink their own piss with you?
12But Rabshakeh replied, "Did my master send me to say these things only to your master and to you? Did he not send me to the men sitting on the wall, who will have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine along with you?"
13Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.
13Then Rabshakeh stood up and shouted in the language of the Jews, "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria!
14Thus saith the king, Let not Hezekiah deceive you: for he shall not be able to deliver you.
14This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah fool you, for he cannot rescue you.
15Neither let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, The LORD will surely deliver us: this city shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
15And do not let Hezekiah get you to trust in the LORD by saying, 'The LORD will surely rescue us; this city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.'
16Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make an agreement with me by a present, and come out to me: and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his own cistern;
16Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me by bringing me a gift and come out to me. Then each of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree and drink water from his own cistern,
17Until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
17until I come and take you away to a land like your own, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
18Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
18Watch out, or Hezekiah will mislead you by saying, 'The LORD will rescue us.' Has the god of any nation ever rescued its land from the hand of the king of Assyria?
19Where are the gods of Hamath and Arphad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim? and have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
19Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Did they rescue Samaria from my hand?
20Who are they among all the gods of these lands, that have delivered their land out of my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
20Which of all the gods of these lands has rescued its land from my hand? So how could the LORD rescue Jerusalem from my hand?"
21But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was, saying, Answer him not.
21But the people kept silent and did not answer him a word, for the king had commanded, "Do not answer him."
22Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
22Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn and reported to him what Rabshakeh had said.
37Sennacherib's Letter and the Angel of the LORD
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
1When King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
2And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests covered with sackcloth, unto Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.
2He sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the secretary, and the leading priests, all wearing sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz.
3And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
3They said to him, "This is what Hezekiah says: Today is a day of trouble, of rebuke, and of disgrace. The children have come to the moment of birth, and there is no strength to deliver them.
4It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.
4Perhaps the LORD your God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the LORD your God has heard. So lift up a prayer for the remnant that is still left."
5So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
5So King Hezekiah's servants came to Isaiah.
6And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
6Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master this: The LORD says, 'Do not be afraid of the words you have heard, the words the king of Assyria's servants have used to blaspheme me.
7Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
7Watch: I will send a blast against him, and he will hear a rumor and go back to his own land, and there in his own land I will have him cut down by the sword.'"
8So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
8So Rabshakeh went back and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah, for he had heard that the king had left Lachish.
9And he heard say concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, He is come forth to make war with thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
9Then the king heard a report about Tirhakah king of Ethiopia: "He has come out to fight you." When he heard it, he sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying,
10Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
10"Say this to Hezekiah king of Judah: Do not let your God, the one you trust, deceive you by saying, 'Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.'
11Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by destroying them utterly; and shalt thou be delivered?
11Look, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the lands, destroying them completely. And will you be rescued?
12Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed, as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Telassar?
12Did the gods of the nations my fathers destroyed rescue them, the people of Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who lived in Telassar?
13Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?
13Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and of Ivvah?"
14And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
14Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.
15And Hezekiah prayed unto the LORD, saying,
15And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD:
16O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou hast made heaven and earth.
16"O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who sits enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth.
17Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.
17Turn your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see. Hear all the words Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God.
18Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations, and their countries,
18It is true, LORD, that the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands,
19And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
19and have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods at all, only the work of human hands, wood and stone. That is why they were able to destroy them.
20Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
20Now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the LORD."
21Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent unto Hezekiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Whereas thou hast prayed to me against Sennacherib king of Assyria:
21Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Because you have prayed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria,
22This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.
22this is the word the LORD has spoken against him: The virgin daughter of Zion despises you and laughs you to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head at you.
23Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
23Whom have you mocked and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes so high? Against the Holy One of Israel!
24By thy servants hast thou reproached the Lord, and hast said, By the multitude of my chariots am I come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon; and I will cut down the tall cedars thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the height of his border, and the forest of his Carmel.
24Through your servants you have mocked the Lord. You have said, 'With my many chariots I have climbed to the heights of the mountains, to the far slopes of Lebanon. I will cut down its tallest cedars and its finest fir trees; I will reach its highest ridge, the forest of its fruitful land.
25I have digged, and drunk water; and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers of the besieged places.
25I have dug wells and drunk water, and with the soles of my feet I have dried up all the rivers of the places I besieged.'
26Hast 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.
26Have you not heard? Long ago I planned it; in ancient times I shaped it. Now I have brought it to pass, so that you would turn fortified cities into heaps of rubble.
27Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded: they were as the grass of the field, and as the green herb, as the grass on the housetops, and as corn blasted before it be grown up.
27That is why their people had so little strength; they were dismayed and put to shame. They were like grass in the field, like tender green plants, like grass on the rooftops, like grain scorched before it has grown up.
28But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
28But I know where you live, when you go out and when you come in, and how you rage against me.
29Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult, is come up into mine ears, therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
29Because your rage against me and your arrogance have reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the road you came on.
30And this shall be a sign unto thee, Ye shall eat this year such as groweth of itself; and the second year that which springeth of the same: and in the third year sow ye, and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit thereof.
30And this will be the sign for you: This year you will eat what grows on its own, and the second year what springs up from that; but in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit.
31And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward:
31The survivors of the house of Judah who have escaped will once again take root below and bear fruit above.
32For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
32For a remnant will go out from Jerusalem, and survivors from Mount Zion. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
33Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shields, nor cast a bank against it.
33Therefore this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with a shield or build a siege ramp against it.
34By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
34By the road he came, he will go back; he will not enter this city, says the LORD.
35For I will defend this city to save it for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
35For I will defend this city and save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David."
36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
36Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When people got up early the next morning, there were all the dead bodies.
37So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
37So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and went home, and he stayed in Nineveh.
38And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
38One day, as he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword and escaped into the land of Armenia. His son Esarhaddon became king in his place.
38Hezekiah's Illness and the Shadow Turned Back
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
1In those days Hezekiah became sick and was near death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
2Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
2Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.
3And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
3He said, "Remember, O LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you faithfully and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying,
4Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:
5Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
5"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will add fifteen years to your life.
6And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
6I will rescue you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.
7And this shall be a sign unto thee from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing that he hath spoken;
7This will be the sign to you from the LORD that the LORD will do what he has promised:
8Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees, which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward. So the sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down.
8Watch, I will make the shadow cast by the sun on the stairway of Ahaz go back the ten steps it has gone down.'" So the sun's shadow went back the ten steps it had gone down.
9The writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness:
9A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his illness:
10I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years.
10I said, "In the prime of my days I must go to the gates of the grave; I am robbed of the rest of my years."
11I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
11I said, "I will not see the LORD, the LORD, in the land of the living; I will never again look on people among those who live in this world.
12Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd’s tent: I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
12My life is pulled up and carried away from me like a shepherd's tent; like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he cuts me off with wasting sickness. From day to night you bring me to an end.
13I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones: from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
13I waited quietly until morning, but like a lion he breaks all my bones; from day to night you bring me to an end.
14Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail with looking upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.
14Like a crane or a swallow I chattered; I moaned like a dove. My eyes grew weak from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; stand up for me!"
15What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
15What can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I will walk softly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.
16O LORD, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live.
16O LORD, by these things people live, and in all of them is the life of my spirit. So you will restore me and let me live.
17Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
17See, instead of peace I had great bitterness; but in love for my soul you have rescued it from the pit of destruction, for you have thrown all my sins behind your back.
18For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.
18For the grave cannot praise you; death cannot celebrate you. Those who go down into the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.
19The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.
19The living, the living, they praise you, as I do today. A father tells his children about your faithfulness.
20The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
20The LORD was ready to save me, so we will sing my songs to stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD.
21For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaister upon the boil, and he shall recover.
21Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs and spread it on the boil, and he will recover."
22Hezekiah also had said, What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?
22And Hezekiah had asked, "What is the sign that I will go up to the house of the LORD?"
39The Envoys from Babylon
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.
1At that time Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah, because he had heard that he had been sick and had recovered.
2And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
2Hezekiah was glad to see them, and he showed them his treasure house: the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his whole armory, and everything found in his storerooms. There was nothing in his palace or in his whole kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.
3Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
3Then the prophet Isaiah came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did these men say, and where did they come from?" Hezekiah answered, "They came to me from a far country, from Babylon."
4Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.
4Isaiah asked, "What did they see in your palace?" Hezekiah answered, "They saw everything in my palace. There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
5Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
5Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
6Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
6The days are coming when everything in your palace, and everything your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.
7And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
7And some of your own sons, your own descendants, will be taken away, and they will be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."
8Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
8Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good." And he added, "For there will be peace and truth in my days."
40Comfort My People
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
1"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.
2Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
2"Speak comforting words to Jerusalem, and cry out to her that her time of struggle is finished, that her wrongdoing is pardoned, for she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins."
3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
3A voice cries out in the wilderness: "Get the road ready for the LORD; make a straight highway across the desert for our God.
4Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
4Every valley will be raised up, and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked ground will be made straight, and the rough places smooth.
5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
5Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
6The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
6A voice said, "Cry out." And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All people are grass, and all their beauty is like a flower in the field.
7The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
7The grass dries up, the flower wilts, because the breath of the LORD blows on it. Surely the people are grass.
8The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
8The grass dries up, the flower wilts, but the word of our God stands forever."
9O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
9O Zion, bringer of good news, climb up a high mountain. O Jerusalem, bringer of good news, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, do not be afraid. Say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"
10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
10See, the Lord GOD comes with a strong hand, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his work goes before him.
11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
11He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arm and carry them close to his heart, and he will gently lead the mothers with their young.
12Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
12Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the width of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on scales and the hills on a balance?
13Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
13Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or taught him as his counselor?
14With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
14Whom did he consult? Who instructed him, or taught him the way of justice? Who taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?
15Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
15Look, the nations are like a drop from a bucket; they count as the fine dust on the scales. Look, he lifts up the islands as if they weighed nothing.
16And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
16Lebanon does not have enough wood for a fire, nor enough animals for a burnt offering.
17All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
17All the nations are as nothing before him; to him they count as less than nothing, as emptiness.
18To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
18To whom, then, will you compare God? What likeness will you set beside him?
19The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
19A craftsman casts an idol, and a goldsmith covers it with gold and makes silver chains for it.
20He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
20A person too poor to afford such an offering chooses a piece of wood that will not rot, then looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.
21Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
21Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told to you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
22He is the one who sits above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
23He brings princes to nothing and makes the rulers of the earth like emptiness.
24Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
24They are hardly planted, hardly sown, their stem has hardly taken root in the ground, when he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind carries them off like straw.
25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
25"To whom, then, will you compare me? Who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
26Lift up your eyes to the sky and see who created these things. He brings out the starry host by number and calls each one by name. Because of his great might and strong power, not one of them is missing.
27Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
27Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is overlooked by my God"?
28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
28Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not grow faint or weary; his understanding cannot be searched out.
29He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
29He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might he adds strength.
30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
30Even young people grow faint and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
31But those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.
41The LORD Puts the Nations on Trial
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
1Be silent before me, you islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come near, and then let them speak. Let us meet together for judgment.
2Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
2Who has raised up the righteous one from the east and summoned him to his feet? Who hands nations over to him and makes him rule over kings? He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown straw with his bow.
3He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
3He chases them and passes on safely, by a road his feet have never traveled.
4Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
4Who has done this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD, the first, and with the last: I am he.
5The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
5The islands have seen it and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble. They draw near and come forward.
6They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.
6Each one helps his neighbor and says to his brother, "Take courage!"
7So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
7The carpenter encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer cheers on the one who strikes the anvil, saying, "It is ready for soldering." Then he fastens the idol with nails so it will not topple.
8But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
8But you, Israel, are my servant; you, Jacob, are the one I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham my friend.
9Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
9I took you from the ends of the earth and called you from among its leaders. I said to you, "You are my servant." I have chosen you and have not thrown you away.
10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
10Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up with the right hand of my righteousness.
11Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
11See, all who were furious with you will be ashamed and disgraced. Those who fight against you will be as nothing and will perish.
12Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
12You will look for those who quarreled with you and not find them. Those who make war on you will be as nothing at all, a thing that does not exist.
13For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
13For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand and say to you, "Do not be afraid; I will help you."
14Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
14Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, you people of Israel. I will help you, says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
15Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
15See, I will make you into a new threshing sledge, sharp and full of teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and turn the hills into chaff.
16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
16You will toss them into the air, and the wind will carry them off and the whirlwind scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
17When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
17When the poor and needy look for water and there is none, and their tongues are dry with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.
18I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
18I will open rivers on the bare heights and springs in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the wilderness into a pool of water and the dry ground into flowing springs.
19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
19I will plant cedars in the wilderness, along with acacia, myrtle, and olive trees. I will set fir trees in the desert, with pine and box trees together,
20That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
20so that people may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
21Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
21Present your case, says the LORD. Bring out your strong arguments, says the King of Jacob.
22Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.
22Let them bring them out and tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so we can think them over and know how they turned out; or announce to us the things still to come.
23Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
23Tell us what is going to happen in the future, so we will know that you are gods. Yes, do something, good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and see it together.
24Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.
24Look, you are less than nothing, and your work is worthless. Whoever chooses you is detestable.
25I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
25I have raised up one from the north, and he is coming; from the rising of the sun he will call on my name. He will trample rulers like mortar, as a potter treads the clay.
26Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
26Who announced this from the beginning, so we could know it, or ahead of time, so we could say, "He was right"? No one announced it, no one foretold it, no one heard a word from you.
27The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
27I was the first to say to Zion, "Look, here they are!" and I give to Jerusalem a messenger with good news.
28For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
28I looked, but there was no one, not one among them who could give counsel, not one who could answer a word when I asked.
29Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
29See, they are all worthless; their works are nothing. Their cast idols are wind and confusion.
42Behold My Servant
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
1Here is my servant, whom I hold up, my chosen one, in whom my soul delights. I have put my Spirit on him; he will bring justice to the nations.
2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
2He will not shout or raise his voice or make it heard in the street.
3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
3He will not snap a reed that is already bent, nor put out a wick that is barely burning. He will bring justice in faithfulness.
4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
4He will not grow weak or give up until he has set justice firmly in the earth, and the far islands will wait for his law.
5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
5This is what God the LORD says, the one who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and everything that comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it:
6I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
6"I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness. I will take hold of your hand and keep you, and I will make you a covenant for the people and a light for the nations,
7To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
7to open blind eyes, to bring prisoners out of the dungeon, and to free those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
8I am the LORD; that is my name. I will not give my glory to another or my praise to carved idols.
9Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
9See, the former things have come to pass, and now I announce new things; before they spring up I tell you about them."
10Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
10Sing a new song to the LORD, sing his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea and everything in it, you islands and all who live on them.
11Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
11Let the wilderness and its towns lift up their voice, and the villages where Kedar lives. Let the people of the rock sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.
12Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
12Let them give glory to the LORD and declare his praise in the islands.
13The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
13The LORD goes out like a mighty warrior; like a man of war he stirs up his zeal. He shouts, yes, he roars; he triumphs over his enemies.
14I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
14For a long time I have kept quiet; I have been still and held myself back. Now I will cry out like a woman giving birth; I will lay waste and devour all at once.
15I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
15I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their plants. I will turn the rivers into islands and dry up the pools.
16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
16I will lead the blind by a road they do not know; I will guide them along paths they have never traveled. I will turn the darkness before them into light and make the crooked places straight. These are the things I will do for them, and I will not abandon them.
17They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
17But those who trust in carved idols, who say to cast images, "You are our gods," will be turned back and put to deep shame.
18Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.
18Hear, you deaf! Look, you blind, so that you can see!
19Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf, as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
19Who is blind but my servant, or deaf like the messenger I send? Who is as blind as my devoted one, as blind as the servant of the LORD?
20Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.
20You see many things but do not take them in; the ears are open, but he does not listen.
21The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
21The LORD is well pleased, for the sake of his righteousness, to make his law great and honored.
22But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.
22But this is a people robbed and plundered, all of them trapped in holes and hidden away in prisons. They have become prey, and no one rescues them; they are plunder, and no one says, "Give them back."
23Who among you will give ear to this? who will hearken and hear for the time to come?
23Who among you will listen to this? Who will pay attention and hear for the time to come?
24Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
24Who handed Jacob over to be plundered, and Israel to the robbers? Was it not the LORD, the one we have sinned against? For they would not walk in his ways, and they would not obey his law.
25Therefore he hath poured upon him the fury of his anger, and the strength of battle: and it hath set him on fire round about, yet he knew not; and it burned him, yet he laid it not to heart.
25So the LORD poured out on him the fury of his anger and the violence of war. It set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him, but he did not take it to heart.
43Fear Not, I Have Redeemed You
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
1But now this is what the LORD says, the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: "Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you belong to me.
2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
2"When you cross through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned, and the flame will not catch hold of you.
3For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
3"For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as your ransom, and Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you.
4Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
4"Because you were precious in my eyes, you have been honored, and I have loved you; so I will give men in your place and peoples in exchange for your life.
5Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
5"Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your descendants from the east and gather you from the west.
6I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
6"I will say to the north, 'Give them up,' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the ends of the earth,
7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
7"everyone who is called by my name, for I created each one for my glory; I formed him, yes, I made him.
8Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
8"Bring out the people who are blind though they have eyes, and deaf though they have ears.
9Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
9"Let all the nations be gathered together and the peoples assembled. Who among them can announce this and tell us the things that happened before? Let them bring their witnesses to prove they are right, or let them listen and say, 'It is true.'
10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
10"You are my witnesses," says the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no God was formed, and there will be none after me.
11I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
11"I, I alone, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.
12I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
12"I have announced it, and I have saved, and I have made it known, when there was no foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses," says the LORD, "that I am God.
13Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
13"Yes, before there was ever a day, I am he, and no one can snatch anything out of my hand. I will act, and who can turn it back?"
14Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
14This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "For your sake I have sent to Babylon and brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose shouting fills the ships.
15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
15"I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King."
16Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
16This is what the LORD says, the one who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters,
17Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
17who brings out the chariot and horse, the army and its might; they lie down together and will not rise again; they are snuffed out, put out like a burning wick:
18Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
18"Do not keep remembering the former things or dwelling on what happened long ago.
19Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
19"Watch, I am about to do something new; now it is springing up. Don't you see it? I will even make a road through the wilderness and rivers through the desert.
20The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
20"The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen ones,
21This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.
21"the people I formed for myself, so that they might declare my praise.
22But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob; but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel.
22"Yet you have not called on me, Jacob; instead you have grown tired of me, Israel.
23Thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings; neither hast thou honoured me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with an offering, nor wearied thee with incense.
23"You have not brought me the lambs of your burnt offerings or honored me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings or worn you out with incense.
24Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities.
24"You have not bought me sweet-smelling cane with your money or filled me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead you have burdened me with your sins and worn me out with your wrongdoing.
25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
25"I, I alone, am the one who wipes out your rebellions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
26Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
26"Remind me; let us argue the case together. State your side, so that you may be proved right.
27Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against me.
27"Your first father sinned, and your teachers have rebelled against me.
28Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches.
28"So I have disgraced the leaders of the sanctuary, and I have handed Jacob over to the curse and Israel to mockery."
44The Idol Maker and King Cyrus
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen:
1"But now listen, Jacob my servant, and Israel, whom I have chosen.
2Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.
2"This is what the LORD says, the one who made you and formed you in the womb, the one who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, and you, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
3"For I will pour water on the thirsty and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your children,
4And they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.
4"and they will spring up like grass in a meadow, like willows beside running streams.
5One shall say, I am the LORD’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.
5"One will say, 'I belong to the LORD,' and another will call himself by the name of Jacob; another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and take the name of Israel as his own.
6Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
6"This is what the LORD says, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and apart from me there is no God.
7And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
7"Who is like me? Let him call out and announce it and lay it out in order before me, as I have done since I established the ancient people. Let them tell what is coming and what will happen.
8Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
8"Do not be afraid or tremble. Haven't I told you this long ago and announced it? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no God; I do not know of any."
9They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
9All who make carved images are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. They are their own witnesses: they see nothing and know nothing, and so they will be put to shame.
10Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image that is profitable for nothing?
10Who would shape a god or cast an image that can do no good at all?
11Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.
11Look, all who join with it will be put to shame, and the craftsmen are only human. Let them all gather and stand up; they will be terrified and shamed together.
12The smith with the tongs both worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms: yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth: he drinketh no water, and is faint.
12The blacksmith works with his tongs over the coals, shapes the metal with hammers, and forms it with the strength of his arms. Yet he gets hungry and his strength fails; he drinks no water and grows faint.
13The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.
13The carpenter stretches out his measuring line and marks the shape with a marker. He works it with planes and marks it with compasses. He shapes it into the figure of a man, with all the beauty of a man, so it can sit in a house.
14He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish it.
14He cuts down cedars for himself, or takes a cypress or an oak, letting it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants an ash tree, and the rain makes it grow.
15Then shall it be for a man to burn: for he will take thereof, and warm himself; yea, he kindleth it, and baketh bread; yea, he maketh a god, and worshippeth it; he maketh it a graven image, and falleth down thereto.
15Then it becomes fuel for a man to burn. He takes some of it to warm himself; he lights a fire and bakes bread. Yet he also makes a god from it and worships it; he makes a carved image and bows down to it.
16He burneth part thereof in the fire; with part thereof he eateth flesh; he roasteth roast, and is satisfied: yea, he warmeth himself, and saith, Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire:
16Part of it he burns in the fire; over that part he cooks meat, roasts it, and eats his fill. He also warms himself and says, "Ah, I am warm; I can feel the fire."
17And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.
17From what is left he makes a god, his carved image. He bows down to it, worships it, and prays to it, saying, "Rescue me, for you are my god."
18They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand.
18They know nothing and understand nothing, for their eyes are plastered shut so they cannot see, and their hearts so they cannot understand.
19And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree?
19No one stops to think; no one has the knowledge or sense to say, "I burned part of it in the fire, I baked bread on its coals, I roasted meat and ate it. Should I make what is left into something disgusting? Should I bow down to a block of wood?"
20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?
20He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has led him astray, so that he cannot save himself or say, "Isn't this thing in my right hand a lie?"
21Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
21"Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant. I formed you; you are my servant, Israel, and I will not forget you.
22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
22"I have wiped away your rebellions like a thick cloud, and your sins like a cloud. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."
23Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.
23Sing, you heavens, for the LORD has done it! Shout, you depths of the earth! Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and every tree in them, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob and shown his glory in Israel.
24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;
24This is what the LORD says, your Redeemer, the one who formed you in the womb: "I am the LORD, who makes all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself,
25That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
25"who foils the signs of the liars and makes fools of the fortune-tellers, who turns the wise men backward and makes their knowledge foolish,
26That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
26"who confirms the word of his servant and carries out the plans of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'She will be lived in,' and of the cities of Judah, 'They will be rebuilt, and I will raise up their ruins,'
27That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
27"who says to the deep water, 'Be dry; I will dry up your rivers,'
28That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
28"who says of Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd, and he will carry out everything I want,' saying of Jerusalem, 'She will be rebuilt,' and of the temple, 'Your foundation will be laid.'"
45Cyrus, the LORD's Anointed
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
1This is what the LORD says to his anointed one, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have taken hold of, to bring nations down before him and to strip kings of their strength, to open the double doors before him so that the gates will not be shut:
2I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
2"I will go ahead of you and make the crooked places straight. I will smash the bronze gates and cut through the iron bars.
3And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
3"I will give you treasures hidden in darkness and riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I, the LORD, the one who calls you by name, am the God of Israel.
4For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
4"For the sake of Jacob my servant and Israel my chosen one, I have called you by name; I have given you a title of honor, though you have not known me.
5I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
5"I am the LORD, and there is no one else; apart from me there is no God. I have strengthened you, though you have not known me,
6That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
6"so that from the rising of the sun to the west people may know that there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no one else.
7I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
7"I form the light and create the darkness; I bring peace and I bring trouble. I, the LORD, do all these things.
8Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
8"Rain down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour out righteousness. Let the earth open so that salvation may sprout, and let righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it.
9Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
9"How terrible for the one who argues with his Maker, a piece of pottery among the pots of the earth! Does the clay say to the one shaping it, 'What are you making?' or does your work say, 'He has no hands'?
10Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
10"How terrible for the one who says to his father, 'What are you fathering?' or to his mother, 'What are you giving birth to?'"
11Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
11This is what the LORD says, the Holy One of Israel and his Maker: "Ask me about the things to come concerning my children; will you give me orders about the work of my hands?
12I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
12"I made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their starry host.
13I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
13"I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, not for a price or a reward," says the LORD of hosts.
14Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
14This is what the LORD says: "The wealth of Egypt and the goods of Ethiopia, and the Sabeans, those tall men, will come over to you and be yours. They will walk behind you; they will come over in chains. They will bow down to you and plead with you, saying, 'Surely God is with you, and there is no one else; there is no other God.'"
15Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
15Truly you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
16They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
16All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced; together they will walk away in humiliation.
17But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
17But Israel will be saved by the LORD with a salvation that lasts forever; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, for all ages to come.
18For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
18For this is what the LORD says, the one who created the heavens, God himself, who formed the earth and made it and set it firmly in place. He did not create it to be empty; he formed it to be lived in. "I am the LORD, and there is no one else.
19I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
19"I have not spoken in secret, from some dark corner of the earth. I did not tell the descendants of Jacob, 'Seek me for nothing.' I, the LORD, speak what is right; I declare what is true.
20Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
20"Gather together and come; draw near, all of you who have escaped from the nations. Those who carry around wooden idols know nothing; they pray to a god that cannot save.
21Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
21"Speak up and present your case; yes, let them talk it over together. Who announced this long ago? Who declared it from that time? Was it not I, the LORD? There is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me.
22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
22"Look to me and be saved, everyone to the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no one else.
23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
23"I have sworn by myself; my mouth has spoken in righteousness a word that will not be taken back: to me every knee will bow, and every tongue will swear loyalty.
24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
24"People will say of me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' All who were angry with him will come to him and be put to shame.
25In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
25"In the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be made right, and in him they will boast."
46Bel and Nebo Go Into Captivity
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast.
1Bel bows down; Nebo stoops over. Their idols are loaded onto beasts and cattle; the things you carried around are a heavy load, a burden for weary animals.
2They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
2They stoop and bow down together; they cannot rescue the burden, and they themselves go off into captivity.
3Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb:
3"Listen to me, house of Jacob, and all who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have carried since birth and held since you left the womb.
4And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.
4"Even to your old age I am he, and even when your hair turns gray I will carry you. I have made you, and I will bear you; I will carry you, and I will rescue you.
5To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?
5"To whom will you compare me or make me equal? To whom will you liken me, as if we were alike?
6They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.
6"People pour gold out of their bags and weigh silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god, and then they bow down and worship it.
7They bear him upon the shoulder, they carry him, and set him in his place, and he standeth; from his place shall he not remove: yea, one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble.
7"They lift it onto their shoulders and carry it; they set it in its place, and there it stands. It cannot move from its spot. Someone may cry out to it, but it cannot answer or save him from his trouble.
8Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring it again to mind, O ye transgressors.
8"Remember this and stand up like men; take it to heart, you rebels.
9Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
9"Remember the things of long ago, for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is no one like me.
10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
10"I announce the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that have not yet happened. I say, 'My plan will stand, and I will do everything I please.'
11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.
11"I call a bird of prey from the east, a man from a far country to carry out my plan. Yes, I have spoken it, and I will bring it about; I have planned it, and I will do it.
12Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:
12"Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted people who are far from righteousness.
13I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
13"I am bringing my righteousness near; it is not far away, and my salvation will not be delayed. I will place salvation in Zion, for Israel, my glory."
47Babylon Sits in the Dust
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.
1"Come down and sit in the dust, virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne, daughter of the Chaldeans, for you will no longer be called tender and delicate.
2Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.
2"Take the millstones and grind flour. Take off your veil, lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the rivers.
3Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.
3"Your nakedness will be uncovered; yes, your shame will be seen. I will take vengeance, and I will not meet you as a mere man would."
4As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
4Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.
5Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
5"Sit in silence and go into the darkness, daughter of the Chaldeans, for you will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms.
6I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.
6"I was angry with my people; I let my inheritance be defiled and handed them over to you. You showed them no mercy; even on the elderly you laid a very heavy yoke.
7And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever: so that thou didst not lay these things to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.
7"You said, 'I will be queen forever,' so you did not take these things to heart or think about how it would end.
8Therefore hear now this, thou that art given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children:
8"So now hear this, you lover of pleasure, sitting so secure, saying in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me. I will never be a widow or know the loss of children.'
9But these two things shall come to thee in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood: they shall come upon thee in their perfection for the multitude of thy sorceries, and for the great abundance of thine enchantments.
9"But both of these will come on you in a moment, in a single day: the loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure, despite your many sorceries and all your powerful spells.
10For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me. Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me.
10"You trusted in your wickedness; you said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and your knowledge have led you astray, and you said in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one besides me.'
11Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.
11"So disaster will come on you, and you will not know where it comes from. Trouble will fall on you, and you will not be able to pay it off. Ruin will come on you suddenly, and you will not see it coming.
12Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast laboured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail.
12"Go ahead, then, with your spells and your many sorceries, which you have worked at since you were young. Maybe you will get some good out of them; maybe you will frighten something off.
13Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee.
13"You are worn out by all your advice. Let the astrologers, the stargazers, and those who forecast month by month stand up now and save you from what is coming on you.
14Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
14"Look, they are like stubble; the fire burns them up. They cannot save themselves from the power of the flame. This is no coal to warm yourself by, no fire to sit in front of.
15Thus shall they be unto thee with whom thou hast laboured, even thy merchants, from thy youth: they shall wander every one to his quarter; none shall save thee.
15"That is all they are to you, those you have worked with and traded with since your youth. Each one wanders off his own way; there is no one to save you."
48Go Forth From Babylon
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
1Hear this, house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel and have come from the waters of Judah, you who swear by the name of the LORD and call on the God of Israel, but not in truth or in righteousness;
2For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.
2for they call themselves citizens of the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of hosts is his name.
3I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
3"I announced the former things long ago; they went out of my mouth, and I made them known. Then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.
4Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;
4"Because I knew how stubborn you are, that the muscles of your neck are iron and your forehead is bronze,
5I have even from the beginning declared it to thee; before it came to pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image, and my molten image, hath commanded them.
5"I told you these things long ago; before they happened I made them known to you, so you could not say, 'My idol did them; my carved image and my metal image commanded them.'
6Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
6"You have heard it; now look at all of it. Will you not admit it? From now on I am telling you new things, hidden things you have not known.
7They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
7"They are created now, not long ago; you had not heard of them before today, so you cannot say, 'Yes, I already knew them.'
8Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened: for I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacherously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb.
8"No, you never heard, you never knew; long ago your ear was not open. For I knew how treacherously you would act, and that you were called a rebel from birth.
9For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
9"For the sake of my name I hold back my anger, and for the sake of my praise I restrain it toward you, so as not to cut you off.
10Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
10"Look, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have chosen you in the furnace of suffering.
11For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
11"For my own sake, for my own sake, I will do this. Why should my name be dishonored? I will not give my glory to anyone else.
12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
12"Listen to me, Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called: I am he; I am the first, and I am also the last.
13Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
13"My own hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens. When I call to them, they stand up together.
14All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
14"Gather together, all of you, and listen. Which of the idols has announced these things? The LORD has loved him; he will carry out his purpose against Babylon, and his arm will be against the Chaldeans.
15I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
15"I, I myself, have spoken; yes, I have called him. I have brought him, and he will succeed in what he sets out to do.
16Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
16"Come near to me and hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time it happened, I was there." And now the Lord GOD has sent me, together with his Spirit.
17Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.
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, who leads you along the way you should go.
18O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:
18"If only you had paid attention to my commands! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
19Thy seed also had been as the sand, and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel thereof; his name should not have been cut off nor destroyed from before me.
19"Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its countless grains; their name would never have been cut off or destroyed from before me."
20Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans, with a voice of singing declare ye, tell this, utter it even to the end of the earth; say ye, The LORD hath redeemed his servant Jacob.
20Leave Babylon! Run from the Chaldeans! Announce it with shouts of joy; proclaim it and send it out to the ends of the earth. Say, "The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!"
21And they thirsted not when he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out.
21They did not go thirsty when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow out of the rock for them. He split the rock open, and the water gushed out.
22There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
22"There is no peace," says the LORD, "for the wicked."
49A Light to the Nations
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.
1Listen to me, you islands; pay attention, you peoples far away. The LORD called me before I was born; while I was still in my mother's womb he spoke my name.
2And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
2He made my mouth like a sharp sword and hid me in the shadow of his hand. He made me a polished arrow and hid me in his quiver.
3And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
3He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, and through you I will show my glory."
4Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God.
4But I said, "I have worked for nothing; I have used up my strength for no purpose at all. Yet surely my cause is with the LORD, and my reward is with my God."
5And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength.
5And now the LORD speaks, the one who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him. Though Israel is not gathered, I will still be honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God will be my strength.
6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
6He says, "It is not enough for you to be my servant only to raise up the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel who were kept safe. I will also make you a light for the nations, so that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth."
7Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
7This is what the LORD says, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to the one people despise, the one the nation loathes, the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and stand up; princes will bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
8Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
8This is what the LORD says: "At the right time I answered you, and on the day of salvation I helped you. I will keep you safe and make you a covenant for the people, to restore the land and hand out its ruined inheritances again,
9That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
9"to say to the prisoners, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Show yourselves.' They will feed along the roads, and every bare hill will be their pasture.
10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
10"They will not go hungry or thirsty; the scorching heat and the sun will not strike them, for the one who has mercy on them will lead them and guide them beside springs of water.
11And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted.
11"I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways will be raised up.
12Behold, these shall come from far: and, lo, these from the north and from the west; and these from the land of Sinim.
12"Look, these will come from far away; look, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Sinim."
13Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.
13Sing, you heavens! Be glad, you earth! Burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have mercy on his suffering ones.
14But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me.
14But Zion said, "The LORD has abandoned me; my Lord has forgotten me."
15Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
15"Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son she bore? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you.
16Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.
16"Look, I have carved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are always before me.
17Thy children shall make haste; thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee.
17"Your children are hurrying back; those who tore you down and laid you waste will leave you.
18Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.
18"Lift up your eyes and look around: they are all gathering and coming to you. As surely as I live," says the LORD, "you will put them all on like jewelry and wear them like a bride.
19For thy waste and thy desolate places, and the land of thy destruction, shall even now be too narrow by reason of the inhabitants, and they that swallowed thee up shall be far away.
19"For your ruins, your wasted places, and your devastated land will now be too small for the people living there, and those who swallowed you up will be far away.
20The children which thou shalt have, after thou hast lost the other, shall say again in thine ears, The place is too strait for me: give place to me that I may dwell.
20"The children born to you after you lost the others will say in your hearing, 'This place is too crowded for me; make room for me to live.'
21Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where had they been?
21"Then you will say in your heart, 'Who gave birth to these for me? I had lost my children; I was barren, exiled, and driven from place to place. Who raised these? Look, I was left all alone. Where did these come from?'"
22Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
22This is what the Lord GOD says: "Look, I will lift up my hand to the nations and raise my banner to the peoples. They will bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
23And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
23"Kings will be your foster fathers and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the ground and lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who wait for me will not be put to shame."
24Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
24Can plunder be taken from a mighty warrior, or captives rightfully taken be set free?
25But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
25But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from the mighty, and plunder rescued from the terrible, for I will fight against those who fight against you, and I will save your children.
26And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
26"I will make those who oppress you eat their own flesh, and they will be drunk on their own blood as if it were sweet wine. Then all people will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."
50The Servant's Face Like Flint
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
1This is what the LORD says: "Where is the paper of divorce by which I sent your mother away? Or which of my creditors did I sell you to? Look, it was because of your sins that you were sold, and because of your wrongdoing that your mother was sent away.
2Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
2Why was no one there when I came? Why did no one answer when I called? Is my arm too short to buy you back? Have I no power to rescue? Look, with one word of rebuke I dry up the sea and turn rivers into desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.
3I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.
3I dress the skies in black and cover them with rough mourning cloth."
4The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
4The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of a well-taught student, so I would know how to speak a timely word to someone who is worn out. Morning after morning he wakes me; he wakes my ear to listen like a student.
5The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.
5The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I did not rebel or turn back.
6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
6I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who tore out my beard. I did not hide my face from insults and spit.
7For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
7Because the Lord GOD helps me, I will not be disgraced. So I have set my face hard as flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.
8He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.
8The one who declares me innocent is close by. Who will bring a case against me? Let us face each other. Who is my accuser? Let him step up to me.
9Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.
9Look, the Lord GOD helps me. Who can condemn me? See, all of them will wear out like a coat; the moth will eat them up.
10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.
10Who among you honors the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Whoever walks in the dark and has no light, let him trust in the name of the LORD and lean on his God.
11Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
11But look, all of you who light a fire and arm yourselves with burning torches: go walk in the light of your own fire and the torches you have lit. This is what you will get from my hand: you will lie down in a place of pain.
51Awake, O Arm of the LORD
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
1"Listen to me, you who chase after what is right, you who seek the LORD. Look at the rock you were cut from and the quarry you were dug out of.
2Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
2Look at Abraham your father and at Sarah who gave birth to you. He was only one man when I called him, and I blessed him and made him many.
3For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
3For the LORD will comfort Zion; he will comfort all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
4Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
4Pay attention to me, my people; listen to me, my nation. For a law will go out from me, and I will set up my justice as a light for the peoples.
5My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
5My righteousness is near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples. The islands wait for me and put their hope in my arm.
6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.
6Lift your eyes to the skies and look at the earth below. The skies will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a coat, and the people living on it will die the same way. But my salvation will last forever, and my righteousness will never be brought to an end.
7Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
7Listen to me, you who know what is right, you people who carry my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's insults, and do not be frightened by their mockery.
8For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
8For the moth will eat them up like a coat, and the worm will eat them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, and my salvation from one generation to the next."
9Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?
9Wake up, wake up, put on strength, arm of the LORD! Wake up as in the days long ago, in generations of old. Weren't you the one who cut Rahab to pieces and ran the dragon through?
10Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?
10Weren't you the one who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, and made a road through the depths of the sea for the ransomed to cross?
11Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
11So those the LORD has bought back will return; they will come to Zion singing, with everlasting joy crowning their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will run away.
12I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
12"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. Who are you to be afraid of a man who will die, of a human being who will be treated like grass,
13And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
13and to forget the LORD your Maker, who spread out the skies and laid the foundations of the earth? Why do you live in fear all day long because of the rage of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy you? And where is the rage of the oppressor now?
14The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
14The prisoner bent over in chains will soon be set free. He will not die in the dungeon, and his bread will not run out.
15But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.
15For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar. The LORD of hosts is his name.
16And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
16I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand, so that I could plant the skies, lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, 'You are my people.'"
17Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
17Wake up, wake up! Get up, Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the LORD's hand the cup of his anger. You have drunk the cup that makes people stagger, right down to the dregs, and drained it dry.
18There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
18Of all the sons she gave birth to, there is not one to guide her; of all the sons she raised, there is not one to take her by the hand.
19These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
19Two disasters have come upon you, and who will feel sorry for you? Ruin and destruction, famine and the sword. By whom can I comfort you?
20Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.
20Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street like an antelope caught in a net. They are full of the LORD's anger, the rebuke of your God.
21Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
21So hear this now, you who suffer, you who are drunk, but not on wine:
22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
22This is what your Lord the LORD says, your God who pleads the cause of his people: "Look, I have taken the cup that makes you stagger out of your hand; you will never again drink the dregs of the cup of my anger.
23But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.
23I will put it into the hands of those who torment you, who said to you, 'Bow down so we can walk over you.' And you made your back like the ground, like a street for them to walk across."
52Good Tidings and the Servant Exalted
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.
1Wake up, wake up! Put on your strength, Zion. Put on your beautiful clothes, Jerusalem, holy city. For never again will the uncircumcised and the unclean come into you.
2Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion.
2Shake off the dust; get up and take your seat, Jerusalem. Take the chains off your neck, captive daughter of Zion.
3For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money.
3For this is what the LORD says: "You were sold for nothing, and you will be bought back without money."
4For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
4For this is what the Lord GOD says: "Long ago my people went down to Egypt to live there as foreigners; then Assyria oppressed them for no reason.
5Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.
5So now what do I have here," says the LORD, "seeing that my people have been taken away for nothing? Their rulers make them wail," says the LORD, "and all day long my name is constantly mocked.
6Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
6So my people will know my name. In that day they will know that I am the one who is speaking. Yes, it is I."
7How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who brings good news, who announces peace, who brings good news of good things, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God is King!"
8Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.
8Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. For with their own eyes they will see the LORD returning to Zion.
9Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.
9Burst into joy, sing together, you ruins of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted his people; he has bought Jerusalem back.
10The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
10The LORD has bared his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
11Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
11Leave, leave, get out of there! Touch nothing unclean. Come out from the middle of her and be clean, you who carry the LORD's vessels.
12For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.
12But you will not leave in a hurry or go as people running away, for the LORD will go ahead of you, and the God of Israel will guard your rear.
13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
13"Look, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised up and lifted high, and greatly exalted.
14As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
14Just as many were appalled at you (his face was so disfigured he hardly looked like a man, and his form no longer looked human),
15So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
15so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For they will see what they had never been told, and they will understand what they had never heard."
53The Suffering Servant
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
1Who has believed what we reported? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been shown?
2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
2He grew up in God's presence like a young shoot, like a root out of dry ground. He had no fine appearance or majesty, and when we looked at him there was no beauty to make us want him.
3He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
3People despised him and turned away from him: a man of sorrows, well acquainted with grief. Like someone people hide their faces from, he was despised, and we thought nothing of him.
4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
4Yet it was our griefs he carried and our sorrows he bore; and we thought he was being punished, struck down by God and afflicted.
5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
5But he was pierced for our rebellion; he was crushed for our sins. The punishment that brought us peace fell on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
6All of us have wandered off like sheep; each of us has turned to go his own way. And the LORD has laid on him the guilt of us all.
7He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
7He was mistreated and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led away to be killed, like a sheep that is silent in front of its shearers, he did not open his mouth.
8He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
8He was taken away by arrest and sentencing, and who of his generation gave it a thought? For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.
9And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
9They gave him a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done nothing violent, and there was no lie in his mouth.
10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
10Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him; he caused his suffering. When you make his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and live a long life, and the LORD's good purpose will succeed in his hands.
11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
11He will see the results of his soul's hard suffering and be satisfied. By his knowledge my righteous servant will make many right with God, for he will carry their guilt.
12Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
12So I will give him a share among the great, and he will divide the plunder with the strong, because he poured out his life to death and was counted among the rebels. He carried the sin of many and pleaded for the rebels.
54The Barren Woman Given Children
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
1"Sing, childless woman, you who never gave birth! Break into song and shout for joy, you who never went through labor. For the deserted woman has more children than the woman with a husband," says the LORD.
2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
2"Make your tent bigger; stretch out the curtains of your home. Don't hold back: lengthen your ropes and drive your pegs in deep.
3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
3For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will take over the nations and settle the abandoned cities.
4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
4Do not be afraid, for you will not be disgraced. Do not be embarrassed, for you will not be put to shame. You will forget the shame of your youth, and you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.
5For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
5For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of hosts is his name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of the whole earth.
6For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
6The LORD has called you back like a wife who was abandoned and heartbroken, a wife married young and then rejected," says your God.
7For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
7"For a brief moment I left you, but with great tenderness I will bring you back.
8In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
8In a burst of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with love that lasts forever I will show you mercy," says the LORD your Redeemer.
9For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
9"To me this is like the days of Noah: just as I swore that Noah's floodwaters would never again cover the earth, so I now swear that I will not be angry with you or scold you.
10For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
10The mountains may move and the hills may be shaken, but my love will not move away from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken," says the LORD, who has mercy on you.
11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
11"You poor city, battered by storms and never comforted! Look, I will set your stones in bright mortar and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.
12I will make your towers of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones.
13And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.
13All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.
14In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
14You will be built on what is right. You will be far from oppression, for you will have nothing to fear, and far from terror, for it will not come near you.
15Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.
15If anyone attacks you, it will not be from me; whoever attacks you will fall because of you.
16Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
16Look, I created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work, and I created the destroyer to wreck things.
17No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.
17No weapon made to use against you will succeed, and you will prove wrong every tongue that accuses you in court. This is the inheritance of the LORD's servants, and their vindication comes from me," says the LORD.
55Come to the Waters
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
1"Come, everyone who is thirsty, come to the water! And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk with no money and at no cost.
2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
2Why spend money on what is not bread, and your hard work on what does not fill you? Listen closely to me and eat what is good, and let your soul enjoy the richest food.
3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
3Turn your ear and come to me; listen, and your soul will live. I will make a covenant with you that lasts forever, the faithful love I promised to David.
4Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
4Look, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples.
5Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
5Look, you will call a nation you do not know, and nations that did not know you will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has made you glorious."
6Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
6Look for the LORD while he can be found; call on him while he is close.
7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
7Let the wicked person give up his way, and the evil person his thoughts. Let him come back to the LORD, who will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he forgives freely and fully.
8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
8"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways," says the LORD.
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
9"For as the skies are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
10The rain and the snow come down from the sky and do not go back up without watering the earth, making it sprout and grow, so that it gives seed to the planter and bread to the one who eats.
11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
11That is how it is with the word that goes out of my mouth: it will not come back to me empty. It will do what I want it to do and succeed in the job I sent it to do.
12For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
12For you will go out with joy and be led along in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song in front of you, and all the trees of the countryside will clap their hands.
13Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.
13Where the thornbush grew, the pine tree will grow; where the brier grew, the myrtle will grow. This will bring honor to the LORD's name, an everlasting sign that will never be removed."
56A House of Prayer for All Peoples
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
1This is what the LORD says: "Do what is just and act rightly, for my salvation is close to coming, and my righteousness is about to be revealed.
2Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
2Happy is the person who does this, the one who holds on tight to it, who keeps the Sabbath without dirtying it and keeps his hand from doing anything evil."
3Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
3Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely keep me apart from his people." And let no eunuch say, "Look, I am just a dried-up tree."
4For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
4For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold on to my covenant,
5Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
5I will give a place and a name inside my house and within my walls that is better than sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will never be wiped out.
6Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
6And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the LORD's name and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath without dirtying it and holds on to my covenant,
7Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
7these I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be welcome on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples."
8The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
8The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says: "I will gather still others to him, besides those already gathered."
9All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
9All you wild animals of the field, come and eat; yes, all you animals in the forest.
10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
10Israel's watchmen are blind; none of them knows anything. They are all mute dogs that cannot bark, lying around dreaming, loving their sleep.
11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
11Yes, they are greedy dogs that can never get enough. They are shepherds with no understanding; they all go their own way, every one of them after his own profit, from the greatest to the least.
12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
12"Come," they say, "I'll get some wine, and let's fill ourselves with strong drink. And tomorrow will be just like today, only far better."
57The Idolaters and the Contrite
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
1The righteous person dies, and no one takes it to heart. Good and faithful people are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared the evil that is coming.
2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
2They enter into peace; those who walked in honesty rest in their beds.
3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
3"But you, come here, you children of a witch, you offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute!
4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
4Who are you making fun of? Who are you sneering at, sticking out your tongue? Aren't you children of rebellion, offspring of lies,
5Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
5burning with lust for idols under every green tree, killing children in the valleys and under the overhanging rocks?
6Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?
6The smooth stones of the ravine are your portion; they, they are your lot. To them you have poured out drink offerings and brought grain offerings. Should I be pleased with these things?
7Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice.
7You have made your bed on a high and lofty mountain; you went up there to offer sacrifices.
8Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it.
8Behind the door and the doorposts you have set up your pagan symbols. Deserting me, you uncovered yourself, climbed up, and made your bed wide. You made a deal with those whose bed you love, and you gazed at their nakedness.
9And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.
9You went to the king with olive oil and piled on more perfumes; you sent your messengers far away and sank as low as the grave itself.
10Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
10You wore yourself out with all your traveling, yet you never said, 'It's hopeless.' You found new strength, so you did not give up.
11And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
11Who were you so afraid of, so scared of, that you lied and did not remember me or give me a thought? Isn't it because I have kept quiet for so long that you do not fear me?
12I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.
12I will announce your 'righteousness' and your deeds, and they will do you no good.
13When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
13When you cry out, let your collection of idols rescue you! The wind will carry them all off; one breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land and inherit my holy mountain."
14And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.
14And it will be said, "Build it up, build it up, prepare the road! Take every stumbling block out of the way of my people."
15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
15For this is what the high and exalted One says, who lives forever and whose name is Holy: "I live in the high and holy place, but also with the person who is crushed and humble in spirit, to give new life to the spirit of the humble and new life to the heart of the crushed.
16For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
16I will not accuse forever, and I will not always be angry, for then the spirit of every person would give out before me, the very souls I have made.
17For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.
17I was angry at his sinful greed, so I struck him; I hid my face in anger, but he kept going his own stubborn way.
18I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.
18I have seen what he does, but I will heal him. I will lead him and give comfort back to him and to those who mourn for him.
19I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
19I create praise on their lips: peace, peace to those far away and to those nearby," says the LORD, "and I will heal them."
20But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
20But the wicked are like the churning sea, which cannot lie still, whose waves toss up mud and filth.
21There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
21"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
58The Fast That God Chooses
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
1Shout it out and do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet. Show my people how they have broken faith with me; show the house of Jacob its sins.
2Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
2And yet they look for me day after day and act as though they love to learn my ways, like a nation that did what was right and never abandoned the rules of its God. They ask me for fair judgments; they seem to enjoy coming near to God.
3Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
3"Why have we fasted," they say, "and you take no notice? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you pay no attention?" Look: on the very day you fast, you do as you please and drive all your workers hard.
4Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
4Look: you fast, and then you quarrel and fight and strike out with a cruel fist. You cannot fast the way you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
5Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, a day for a person merely to humble himself? Is it about hanging your head like a reed and spreading out sackcloth and ashes to lie on? Would you call that a fast, a day the LORD accepts?
6Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
6Is this not the fast I have chosen: to loosen the chains of wickedness, to untie the heavy loads, to set the oppressed free, and to break every yoke?
7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
7Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and to bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see someone naked, to clothe him; and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.
8Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your healing will come quickly. Your righteousness will go ahead of you, and the glory of the LORD will guard you from behind.
9Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
9Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry out, and he will say, "Here I am." If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing finger and the wicked talk;
10And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
10if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the suffering, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your gloom will be like noonday.
11And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
11The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy you in dry places and make your bones strong. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose water never runs dry.
12And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
12Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up foundations laid many generations ago. You will be called the one who repairs the broken wall, the one who restores the streets people live on.
13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
13If you keep your feet from trampling the Sabbath, from doing whatever you like on my holy day; if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD's holy day honorable; if you honor it by not going your own way, chasing your own pleasure, or talking idly,
14Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
14then you will find your delight in the LORD. I will let you ride over the high places of the land and feed you with the inheritance of your father Jacob. The mouth of the LORD has spoken it.
59Confession and the Redeemer of Zion
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
1Look, the LORD's arm is not too short to save, nor is his ear too dull to hear.
2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
2But your wrongdoing has come between you and your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he does not listen.
3For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
3For your hands are stained with blood and your fingers with guilt; your lips have told lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
4None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
4No one calls for justice; no one pleads a case honestly. They rely on empty words and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to wickedness.
5They hatch cockatrice’ eggs, and weave the spider’s web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper.
5They hatch the eggs of poisonous snakes and weave spiders' webs. Whoever eats their eggs dies, and when one is cracked open, out comes a viper.
6Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands.
6Their webs will never become clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are deeds of wickedness, and violence is in their hands.
7Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
7Their feet run toward evil, and they hurry to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are wicked thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their paths.
8The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.
8They do not know the way of peace, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have made their roads crooked; whoever walks them will never know peace.
9Therefore is judgment far from us, neither doth justice overtake us: we wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
9That is why justice is far from us and righteousness never reaches us. We hope for light, but there is only gloom; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.
10We grope for the wall like the blind, and we grope as if we had no eyes: we stumble at noon day as in the night; we are in desolate places as dead men.
10We feel along the wall like the blind; we grope as if we had no eyes. We stumble at noon as though it were night; in desolate places we are like the dead.
11We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far off from us.
11We all growl like bears and moan sadly like doves. We look for justice, but there is none; for rescue, but it stays far from us.
12For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;
12For our offenses are many in your sight, and our sins speak against us. Our offenses are always with us, and we know our wrongs well:
13In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
13breaking faith and lying against the LORD, turning our backs on our God, talking of oppression and revolt, conceiving false words in our hearts and speaking them out.
14And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.
14So justice has been driven back, and righteousness stands far off; truth has fallen in the public square, and honesty cannot get in.
15Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
15Yes, truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes a target. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
16He saw that there was no one, and he was amazed that no one stepped in to help. So his own arm brought him victory, and his righteousness held him up.
17For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
17He put on righteousness like a breastplate and the helmet of salvation on his head; he dressed in the clothes of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal like a cloak.
18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.
18He will pay them back according to what they have done: fury to his opponents, repayment to his enemies. To the far-off coastlands he will pay what is due.
19So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
19So people in the west will fear the name of the LORD, and people in the east his glory. When the enemy rushes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will raise a banner against him.
20And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
20"The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn away from their sins," says the LORD.
21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
21"As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, which is on you, and my words, which I have put in your mouth, will never leave your mouth, nor the mouths of your children, nor the mouths of your children's children," says the LORD, "from now on and forever."
60Light Comes to Zion
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.
1Get up and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen over you.
2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
2Look, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD rises over you, and his glory is seen on you.
3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
3Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side.
4Lift your eyes and look all around: they are all gathering and coming to you. Your sons come from far away, and your daughters are carried in arms at your side.
5Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
5Then you will see it and glow with joy; your heart will tremble and swell, because the wealth of the sea will be turned over to you, and the riches of the nations will come to you.
6The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
6Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah; everyone from Sheba will come, bringing gold and incense and singing the praises of the LORD.
7All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together unto thee, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar, and I will glorify the house of my glory.
7All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve your needs. They will be accepted as offerings on my altar, and I will make my glorious house even more glorious.
8Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows?
8Who are these that fly along like a cloud, like doves returning to their windows?
9Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.
9Surely the coastlands are waiting for me, with the ships of Tarshish in the lead, to bring your sons from far away, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you glorious.
10And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in my wrath I smote thee, but in my favour have I had mercy on thee.
10Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Though I struck you in my anger, in my kindness I have shown you mercy.
11Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.
11Your gates will stand open all the time; they will never be shut, day or night, so that people can bring you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.
12For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.
12For any nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; those nations will be completely laid waste.
13The glory of Lebanon shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
13The glory of Lebanon will come to you, its fir, pine, and box trees together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; I will make the place where my feet rest glorious.
14The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
14The children of those who oppressed you will come bowing before you; all who looked down on you will bow at your feet. They will call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations.
15Though you were abandoned and hated, with no one passing through you, I will make you a glory forever, a joy for generation after generation.
16Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
16You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at the breast of kings. Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.
17In place of bronze I will bring you gold; in place of iron, silver; in place of wood, bronze; and in place of stones, iron. I will make peace your governor and righteousness your overseer.
18Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.
18Violence will no longer be heard of in your land, nor ruin and destruction within your borders. You will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.
19The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
19The sun will no longer be your light by day, nor will the moon's brightness shine on you; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
20Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
20Your sun will never set again, and your moon will never fade, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning will be over.
21Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
21All your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I planted, the work of my hands, so that I may be glorified.
22A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.
22The smallest one will become a thousand, and the least a mighty nation. I am the LORD; when the time comes, I will make it happen quickly.
61The Anointed Herald of Good Tidings
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
1The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the humble. He has sent me to bandage the brokenhearted, to announce freedom to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are chained;
2To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
2to announce the year of the LORD's favor and the day of our God's vengeance; to comfort all who mourn;
3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
3to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty in place of ashes, the oil of joy in place of mourning, and clothes of praise in place of a crushed spirit. They will be called trees of righteousness, planted by the LORD so that he may be glorified.
4And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
4They will rebuild the ancient ruins and raise up what was long ago destroyed; they will repair the ruined cities that have lain desolate for many generations.
5And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
5Strangers will stand and tend your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards.
6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
6But you will be called the priests of the LORD; people will name you the servants of our God. You will feed on the wealth of the nations, and you will take pride in their riches.
7For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
7Instead of your shame you will receive a double share, and instead of disgrace they will celebrate their portion. So they will possess a double share in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
8For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery offered up as a burnt offering. I will faithfully reward their work, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.
9Their descendants will be known among the nations, and their children among the peoples. Everyone who sees them will recognize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.
10I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
10I will rejoice greatly in the LORD; my whole being will be glad in my God. For he has dressed me in the clothes of salvation and wrapped me in the robe of righteousness, the way a bridegroom puts on his finery and a bride decks herself with her jewels.
11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
11For as the earth sends up its sprouts, and as a garden makes the seeds sown in it spring up, so the Lord GOD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all the nations.
62Zion Given a New Name
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
1For Zion's sake I will not keep quiet, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her righteousness shines out like the dawn and her salvation like a burning torch.
2And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
2The nations will see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, one the mouth of the LORD will give.
3Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
3You will be a crown of beauty in the LORD's hand, a royal crown in the hand of your God.
4Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.
4You will never again be called Forsaken, and your land will never again be called Desolate. Instead you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah, for the LORD delights in you, and your land will be married.
5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
5For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
6I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence,
6I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never fall silent, day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,
7And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
7and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the whole earth.
8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
8The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his strong arm: "Never again will I hand your grain over as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the wine you have worked so hard for.
9But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness.
9Instead, those who harvest the grain will eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather the grapes will drink the wine in the courts of my sanctuary."
10Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
10Go out, go out through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway; clear away the stones; raise a banner for the peoples.
11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11Listen: the LORD has announced to the ends of the earth, "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Look, your salvation is coming. See, his reward is with him, and his work goes before him.'"
12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
12They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD; and you will be called Sought After, a City No Longer Forsaken.
63Stained Garments from Edom, and a Plea
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
1Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, in clothes stained red? Who is this, so splendid in his robes, striding along in his great strength? "It is I, who speak in righteousness, mighty to save."
2Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
2Why are your clothes red, like the clothes of someone who has been treading grapes in the winepress?
3I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
3"I have trodden the winepress alone; no one from the peoples was with me. I trampled them in my anger and stamped them down in my fury; their blood spattered my clothes, and I have stained all my garments.
4For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
4For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year for redeeming my people had come.
5And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
5I looked, but there was no one to help; I was amazed that no one gave support. So my own arm won the victory for me, and my fury held me up.
6And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
6I trampled the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my fury, and I brought their strength down to the ground."
7I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
7I will tell of the LORD's kindnesses and the praises of the LORD, because of everything the LORD has done for us, and his great goodness to the house of Israel, which he has shown them out of his mercies and the abundance of his faithful love.
8For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
8He said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not be false." And so he became their Savior.
9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
9In all their trouble he was troubled too, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all through the days of old.
10But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
10But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy, and he himself fought against them.
11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
11Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people: Where is the one who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? Where is the one who put his Holy Spirit among them?
12That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
12Who sent his glorious arm to go at Moses' right hand, who split the water in front of them to make himself a name that lasts forever?
13That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
13Who led them through the deep water, like a horse crossing open country, so that they did not stumble?
14As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
14Like cattle going down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. That is how you led your people, to make yourself a glorious name.
15Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
15Look down from heaven; look from your holy and glorious home. Where are your zeal and your strength? Where are the yearning of your heart and your compassion toward me? Are they being held back?
16Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
16Surely you are our Father, even though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not recognize us. You, LORD, are our Father; your name is Our Redeemer from of old.
17O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
17LORD, why have you let us wander from your ways and hardened our hearts so that we do not fear you? Come back, for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance.
18The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
18Your holy people possessed the land only a short time; now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.
19We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
19We are yours; you never ruled over them, and they were never called by your name.
64Rend the Heavens and Come Down
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
1Oh, if only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that the mountains would melt before you,
2As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
2as fire sets brushwood ablaze and makes water boil, to make your name known to your enemies, so that the nations would tremble in your presence!
3When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
3When you did awesome things we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains melted before you.
4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
4Since the beginning of the world no one has heard or listened, and no eye has seen a God besides you, who has prepared such things for those who wait for him.
5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
5You come to meet those who gladly do what is right, who remember you by walking in your ways. But see, you were angry, for we have sinned. Yet in those ways there is lasting hope, and we will be saved.
6But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
6All of us have become like something unclean, and all our good deeds are like filthy rags. We all shrivel like a leaf, and our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.
7And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.
7No one calls on your name or stirs himself to take hold of you, for you have hidden your face from us and let us waste away because of our sins.
8But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
8But now, LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.
9Do not be so terribly angry, LORD, and do not remember our sins forever. Look, we beg you: we are all your people.
10Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.
10Your holy cities have become a wilderness; Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a ruin.
11Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.
11Our holy and beautiful temple, where our ancestors praised you, has been burned with fire, and everything we treasured lies in ruins.
12Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
12After all this, LORD, will you still hold back? Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?
65New Heavens and a New Earth
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
1I let myself be found by people who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not look for me. To a nation that did not call on my name I said, "Here I am! Here I am!"
2I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
2All day long I have held out my hands to a rebellious people, who walk a path that is not good, following their own ideas;
3A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
3a people who keep provoking me to anger right to my face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick;
4Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
4who sit among the graves and spend the night in the tombs, who eat the meat of pigs and keep broth made from unclean things in their pots;
5Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
5who say, "Keep your distance; do not come near me, for I am holier than you." Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that burns all day long.
6Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,
6Look, it is written down before me: I will not stay silent; I will pay them back, pay it right into their laps,
7Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the LORD, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.
7for your sins and the sins of your ancestors together, says the LORD, who burned incense on the mountains and insulted me on the hills. So I will measure out their past deeds and pay them into their laps.
8Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants’ sakes, that I may not destroy them all.
8This is what the LORD says: Just as when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and someone says, "Don't destroy it; there is still something good in it," so I will act for the sake of my servants and not destroy them all.
9And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there.
9I will bring descendants out of Jacob, and out of Judah people to inherit my mountains. My chosen ones will inherit the land, and my servants will live there.
10And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.
10Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me.
11But ye are they that forsake the LORD, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.
11But as for you who abandon the LORD and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for that troop of idols and fill up cups of wine as an offering to that number,
12Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
12I will hand you over to the sword, and all of you will bow down to be slaughtered. For when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen. You did what was evil in my sight and chose what I take no pleasure in.
13Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
13Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Look, my servants will eat, but you will go hungry. Look, my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty. Look, my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.
14Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
14Look, my servants will sing from glad hearts, but you will cry out from aching hearts and wail from broken spirits.
15And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:
15You will leave your name behind as a curse for my chosen ones, for the Lord GOD will put you to death and give his servants a different name.
16That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
16Then whoever asks a blessing for himself in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth; for the troubles of the past are forgotten and hidden from my eyes.
17For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
17Look, I am creating new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered or even come to mind.
18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
18Be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating, for look, I am creating Jerusalem to be a delight and her people to be a joy.
19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
19I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take joy in my people. The sound of weeping will never be heard in her again, nor the sound of crying.
20There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
20Never again will there be a baby there who lives only a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; for a child will die at a hundred years old, but a sinner who reaches a hundred will be counted as cursed.
21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
21They will build houses and live in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
22They will not build for someone else to live in, or plant for someone else to eat. For my people will live as long as trees, and my chosen ones will long enjoy what their hands have made.
23They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.
23They will not work for nothing or bear children for disaster, for they are a people the LORD has blessed, and their children with them.
24And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
24Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
25The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
25The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent's food. They will not harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, says the LORD.
66Heaven Is My Throne, and the Last Words
📜 The old Bible words
💬 In today’s words
1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
1This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the stool for my feet. What kind of house could you build for me? Where is the place where I would rest?
2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
2My own hand made all these things, and that is how they all came to be," says the LORD. "But here is the person I will look to: the one who is humble and sorry in spirit, and who trembles at my word.
3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.
3Whoever kills an ox is like someone who kills a man; whoever sacrifices a lamb is like someone who breaks a dog's neck; whoever brings a grain offering is like someone offering pig's blood; whoever burns incense is like someone blessing an idol. Yes, they have chosen their own ways, and their souls take delight in their disgusting practices.
4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.
4So I too will choose harsh treatment for them and bring on them the very things they fear, because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they did not listen. Instead they did evil right in front of me and chose what gave me no pleasure."
5Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
5Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: "Your own brothers, who hated you and threw you out because of my name, have said, 'Let the LORD be glorified!' But he will appear, to your joy, and they will be put to shame."
6A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.
6Listen, a roar from the city, a voice from the temple, the voice of the LORD paying back his enemies what they deserve.
7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
7Before she went into labor, she gave birth; before her pains came, she delivered a baby boy.
8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
8Who has ever heard of such a thing? Who has ever seen anything like it? Can a land be brought to birth in a single day? Can a nation be born all at once? Yet as soon as Zion went into labor, she gave birth to her children.
9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.
9"Would I bring a child to the moment of birth and not let it be born?" says the LORD. "Would I, who cause the birth, then close the womb?" says your God.
10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
10Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all of you who love her. Rejoice with her and be full of joy, all of you who mourn over her,
11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.
11so that you may nurse and be satisfied at the breasts of her comfort, so that you may drink deeply and delight in the fullness of her glory.
12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
12For this is what the LORD says: "Look, I will send peace flowing to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like a stream overflowing its banks. Then you will nurse; you will be carried on her hip and bounced on her knees.
13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
13As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you, and you will be comforted in Jerusalem."
14And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.
14When you see this, your heart will rejoice, and your bones will flourish like fresh grass. The hand of the LORD will be made known to his servants, and his anger to his enemies.
15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
15Look, the LORD will come with fire, and his chariots will be like a whirlwind, to pour out his anger with fury and his rebuke with flames of fire.
16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
16For with fire and with his sword the LORD will bring judgment on all people, and many will be slain by the LORD.
17They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine’s flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.
17"Those who set themselves apart and make themselves pure to go into the gardens, following the one in the middle, eating the flesh of pigs and other detestable things and mice, will all come to an end together," says the LORD.
18For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
18"For I know what they do and what they think. The time is coming when I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come and see my glory.
19And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
19I will set up a sign among them, and I will send some of the survivors to the nations: to Tarshish, to Pul and Lud, the archers, to Tubal and Javan, and to the faraway coastlands that have never heard of my fame or seen my glory. And they will announce my glory among the nations.
20And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
20They will bring all your brothers from every nation as an offering to the LORD, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules and on swift animals, to my holy mountain Jerusalem," says the LORD, "just as the people of Israel bring a grain offering in a clean dish into the house of the LORD.
21And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD.
21And I will choose some of them, too, to be priests and Levites," says the LORD.
22For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.
22"For just as the new heavens and the new earth that I will make will last in my presence," says the LORD, "so your descendants and your name will last.
23And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
23And from one new moon to the next, and from one Sabbath to the next, all people will come to worship before me," says the LORD.
24And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
24"And they will go out and look at the dead bodies of the people who rebelled against me. The worm that eats them will not die, and their fire will not be put out, and everyone who sees them will be filled with horror."