Isa 43:16-21 | NET2full | STEP | This is what the Lord says , the one who made a road through the sea , a pathway through the surging waters ,

‏ Isaiah 43:16-21

16 This is what the Lord says,
the one who made a road through the sea,
a pathway through the surging waters,
17 the one who led chariots and horses to destruction, ^{▼▼tn Heb “led out chariots and horses.” The words “to destruction” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The verse refers to the destruction of the Egyptians at the Red Sea.}
together with a mighty army.
They fell down, ^{▼▼tn Heb “lay down”; NAB “lie prostrate together”; CEV “lie dead”; NRSV “they lie down.”} never to rise again;
they were extinguished, put out like a burning wick:
18 “Don’t remember these earlier events; ^{▼▼tn Heb “the former things” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “forget all that.”}
don’t recall these former events.

19 “Look, I am about to do something new.
Now it begins to happen! ^{▼▼tn Heb “sprouts up”; NASB “will spring forth.”} Do you not recognize ^{▼▼tn Or “know” (KJV, ASV); NASB “be aware of”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “perceive.”} it?
Yes, I will make a road in the wilderness
and paths ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew text has “streams,” probably under the influence of v. 20. The Qumran scroll 1QIsaa has נתיבות (“paths”).} in the wastelands.
20 The wild animals ^{▼▼tn Heb “animals of the field.”} honor me,
the jackals and ostriches,
because I put water in the wilderness
and streams in the wastelands
to quench the thirst of my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself,
so they might praise me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “[so] they might declare my praise.”}