Isa 9:18 | NET2full | STEP | For evil burned like a fire , it consumed thorns and briers ; it burned up the thickets of the forest , and they went up in smoke .

‏ Isaiah 9:18

18 For ^{▼▼tn Or “Indeed” (cf. NIV “Surely”). The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.} evil burned like a fire, ^{▼▼sn Evil was uncontrollable and destructive, and so can be compared to a forest fire.}
it consumed thorns and briers;
it burned up the thickets of the forest,
and they went up in smoke. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and they swirled [with] the rising of the smoke” (cf. NRSV).}