Isa 41:17-20 | NETfull | STEP | The oppressed and the poor look for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched from thirst. I, the Lord , will respond to their prayers; I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.

Isaiah 41:17-20

17 The oppressed and the poor look for water, but there is none;
their tongues are parched from thirst.
I, the Lord, will respond to their prayers; ^{▼▼ Heb “will answer them” (so ASV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).}
I, the God of Israel, will not abandon them.
18 I will make streams flow down the slopes
and produce springs in the middle of the valleys.
I will turn the desert into a pool of water
and the arid land into springs.
19 I will make cedars, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees grow in the wilderness;
I will make evergreens, firs, and cypresses grow together in the desert.
20 I will do this so ^{▼▼ The words “I will do this” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The Hebrew text has here simply, “in order that.”} people ^{▼▼ Heb “they”; NAB, NRSV “that all may see”; CEV, NLT “Everyone will see.”} will observe and recognize,
so they will pay attention and understand
that the Lord’s power ^{▼▼ Heb “hand” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV).} has accomplished this,
and that the Holy One of Israel has brought it into being.” ^{▼▼ Or “created it” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV); TEV “has made it happen.”}