Isa 51:4-6 | NETfull | STEP | Pay attention to me, my people! Listen to me, my people! For I will issue a decree, I will make my justice a light to the nations.

Isaiah 51:4-6

4 Pay attention to me, my people!
Listen to me, my people!
For ^{▼▼ Or “certainly.”} I will issue a decree, ^{▼▼ Heb “instruction [or “a law”] will go out from me.”}
I will make my justice a light to the nations. ^{▼▼ Heb “and my justice for a light to the nations I will cause to rest.”}
5 I am ready to vindicate, ^{▼▼ Heb “my righteousness [or “vindication”] is near.”}
I am ready to deliver, ^{▼▼ Heb “my deliverance goes forth.”}
I will establish justice among the nations. ^{▼▼ Heb “and my arms will judge [on behalf of] nations.”}
The coastlands ^{▼▼ Or “islands” (NIV); TEV “Distant lands.”} wait patiently for me;
they wait in anticipation for the revelation of my power. ^{▼▼ Heb “for my arm” (so NIV, NRSV).}
6 Look up at the sky!
Look at the earth below!
For the sky will dissipate ^{▼▼ Heb “will be torn in pieces.” The perfect indicates the certitude of the event, from the Lord’s rhetorical perspective.} like smoke,
and the earth will wear out like clothes;
its residents will die like gnats.
But the deliverance I give ^{▼▼ Heb “my deliverance.” The same Hebrew word can also be translated “salvation” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); cf. CEV “victory.”} is permanent;
the vindication I provide ^{▼▼ Heb “my righteousness [or “vindication”].”} will not disappear. ^{▼▼ Heb “will not be shattered [or “dismayed”].”}