Isaiah 55:8-11
8 “Indeed, ▼▼ Or “For” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV).
my plans ▼▼ Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).
are not like ▼ your plans, and my deeds ▼
▼ Heb “ways” (so many English versions).
are not like ▼ your deeds, 9 for just as the sky ▼
▼ Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.
is higher than the earth, so my deeds ▼
▼ Heb “ways” (so many English versions).
are superior to ▼▼ Heb “are higher than.”
your deeds and my plans ▼
▼ Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).
superior to your plans. 10 ▼ The rain and snow fall from the sky
and do not return,
but instead water the earth
and make it produce and yield crops,
and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat.
11 In the same way, the promise that I make
does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. ▼
No, it is realized as I desire
and is fulfilled as I intend.” ▼
▼ Heb “but it accomplishes what I desire, and succeeds [on the mission] which I send it.”
▼▼ Verses 8–11 focus on the reliability of the divine word and support the promises before (vv. 3–5, 7b) and after (vv. 12–13) this. Israel can be certain that repentance will bring forgiveness and a new covenantal relationship because God’s promises are reliable. In contrast to human plans (or “thoughts”), which are destined to fail (Ps 94:11) apart from divine approval (Prov 19:21), and human deeds (or “ways”), which are evil and lead to destruction (Prov 1:15–19; 3:31–33; 4:19), God’s plans are realized and his deeds accomplish something positive.
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