Isa 33:20-24 | NETfull | STEP | Look at Zion, the city where we hold religious festivals! You will see Jerusalem, a peaceful settlement, a tent that stays put; its stakes will never be pulled up; none of its ropes will snap in two.

Isaiah 33:20-24

20 Look at Zion, the city where we hold religious festivals!
You ^{▼▼ Heb “your eyes” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).} will see Jerusalem, ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.}
a peaceful settlement,
a tent that stays put; ^{▼▼ Or “that does not travel”; NASB “which shall not be folded.”}
its stakes will never be pulled up;
none of its ropes will snap in two.
21 Instead the Lord will rule there as our mighty king. ^{▼▼ Heb “But there [as] a mighty one [will be] the Lord for us.”}
Rivers and wide streams will flow through it; ^{▼▼ Heb “a place of rivers, streams wide of hands [i.e., on both sides].”}
no war galley will enter; ^{▼▼ Heb “a ship of rowing will not go into it.”}
no large ships will sail through. ^{▼▼ Heb “and a mighty ship will not pass through it.”}
22 For the Lord, our ruler,
the Lord, our commander,
the Lord, our king –
he will deliver us.
23 Though at this time your ropes are slack, ^{▼▼ The words “though at this time” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The first half of the verse is addressed to Judah and contrasts the nation’s present weakness with its future prosperity. Judah is compared to a ship that is incapable of sailing.}
the mast is not secured, ^{▼▼ Heb “they do not fasten the base of their mast.” On כֵּן (ken, “base”) see BDB 487 s.v. III כֵּן and HALOT 483 s.v. III כֵּן.}
and the sail ^{▼▼ Or perhaps, “flag.”} is not unfurled,
at that time you will divide up a great quantity of loot; ^{▼▼ Heb “then there will be divided up loot of plunder [in] abundance.”}
even the lame will drag off plunder. ^{▼▼ Judah’s victory over its enemies will be so thorough there will be more than enough plunder for everyone, even slow-moving lame men who would normally get left out in the rush to gather the loot.}
24 No resident of Zion ^{▼▼ The words “of Zion” are supplied in the translation for clarification.} will say, “I am ill”;
the people who live there will have their sin forgiven.