Isa 59-60 | NETfull | STEP | Look, the Lord ’s hand is not too weak to deliver you; his ear is not too deaf to hear you.

Isaiah 59

1 Look, the Lord’s hand is not too weak ^{▼▼ Heb “short” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).} to deliver you;
his ear is not too deaf to hear you. ^{▼▼ Heb “or his ear too heavy [i.e., “dull”] to hear.”}
2 But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God;
your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers. ^{▼▼ Heb “and your sins have caused [his] face to be hidden from you so as not to hear.”}
3 For your hands are stained with blood
and your fingers with sin;
your lips speak lies,
your tongue utters malicious words.
4 No one is concerned about justice; ^{▼▼ Heb “no one pleads with justice.”}
no one sets forth his case truthfully.
They depend on false words ^{▼▼ Heb “nothing”; NAB “emptiness.”} and tell lies;
they conceive of oppression ^{▼▼ Or “trouble” (NIV), or “harm.”}
and give birth to sin.
5 They hatch the eggs of a poisonous snake
and spin a spider’s web.
Whoever eats their eggs will die,
a poisonous snake is hatched. ^{▼▼ Heb “that which is pressed in hatches [as] a snake.”}
6 Their webs cannot be used for clothing;
they cannot cover themselves with what they make.
Their deeds are sinful;
they commit violent crimes. ^{▼▼ Heb “their deeds are deeds of sin, and the work of violence [is] in their hands.”}
7 They are eager to do evil, ^{▼▼ Heb “their feet run to evil.”}
quick to shed innocent blood. ^{▼▼ Heb “they quickly pour out innocent blood.”}
Their thoughts are sinful;
they crush and destroy. ^{▼▼ Heb “their thoughts are thoughts of sin, destruction and crushing [are] in their roadways.”}
8 They are unfamiliar with peace;
their deeds are unjust. ^{▼▼ Heb “a way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their pathways.”}
They use deceitful methods,
and whoever deals with them is unfamiliar with peace. ^{▼▼ Heb “their paths they make crooked, everyone who walks in it does not know peace.”}

Israel Confesses its Sin

9 For this reason deliverance ^{▼▼ מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), which refers to “justice” in the earlier verses, here refers to “justice from God,” or “vindication.” Because the people are unjust, God refuses to vindicate them before their enemies. See v. 11.} is far from us ^{▼▼ The prophet speaks on behalf of the sinful nation and confesses its sins.}
and salvation does not reach us.
We wait for light, ^{▼▼ Light here symbolizes prosperity and blessing.} but see only darkness; ^{▼▼ Heb “but, look, darkness”; NIV “but all is darkness.”}
we wait for ^{▼▼ The words “we wait for” are supplied in the translation; the verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).} a bright light, ^{▼▼ The plural noun form may indicate degree here.} but live ^{▼▼ Or “walk about”; NCV “all we have is darkness.”} in deep darkness. ^{▼▼ The plural noun form may indicate degree here.}
10 We grope along the wall like the blind,
we grope like those who cannot see; ^{▼▼ Heb “like there are no eyes.”}
we stumble at noontime as if it were evening.
Though others are strong, we are like dead men. ^{▼▼ Heb among the strong, like dead men.”}
11 We all growl like bears,
we coo mournfully like doves;
we wait for deliverance, ^{▼▼ See the note at v. 9.} but there is none,
for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For you are aware of our many rebellious deeds, ^{▼▼ Heb “for many are our rebellious deeds before you.”}
and our sins testify against us;
indeed, we are aware of our rebellious deeds;
we know our sins all too well. ^{▼▼ Heb “indeed [or “for”] our rebellious deeds (are) with us, and our sins, we know them.”}
13 We have rebelled and tried to deceive the Lord;
we turned back from following our God.
We stir up ^{▼▼ Heb “speaking.” A new sentence was started here in the translation for stylistic reasons.} oppression and rebellion;
we tell lies we concocted in our minds. ^{▼▼ Heb “conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.”}
14 Justice is driven back;
godliness ^{▼▼ Or “righteousness” (ASV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); KJV, NAB “justice.”} stands far off.
Indeed, ^{▼▼ Or “for” (KJV, NRSV).} honesty stumbles in the city square
and morality is not even able to enter.
15 Honesty has disappeared;
the one who tries to avoid evil is robbed.
The Lord watches and is displeased, ^{▼▼ Heb “and it is displeasing in his eyes.”}
for there is no justice.

The Lord Intervenes

16 He sees there is no advocate; ^{▼▼ Heb “man” (so KJV, ASV); TEV “no one to help.”}
he is shocked ^{▼▼ Or “appalled” (NAB, NIV, NRSV), or “disgusted.”} that no one intervenes.
So he takes matters into his own hands; ^{▼▼ Heb “and his arm delivers for him.”}
his desire for justice drives him on. ^{▼▼ Heb “and his justice [or “righteousness”] supports him.”}
17 He wears his desire for justice ^{▼▼ Or “righteousness” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “goodness.”} like body armor, ^{▼▼ Or “a breastplate” (traditional; so many English versions); TEV “a coat of armour.”}
and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head. ^{▼▼ Heb “and [as] a helmet deliverance on his head.”}
He puts on the garments of vengeance ^{▼▼ Heb “and he puts on the clothes of vengeance [as] a garment.”}
and wears zeal like a robe.
18 He repays them for what they have done,
dispensing angry judgment to his adversaries
and punishing his enemies. ^{▼▼ Heb “in accordance with deeds, so he repays, anger to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies.”}
He repays the coastlands. ^{▼▼ Or “islands” (KJV, NIV).}
19 In the west, people respect ^{▼▼ Heb “fear.” A few medieval Hebrew mss read “see.”} the Lord’s reputation; ^{▼▼ Heb “and they fear from the west the name of the Lord.”}
in the east they recognize his splendor. ^{▼▼ Heb “and from the rising of the sun his splendor.”}
For he comes like a rushing ^{▼▼ Heb “narrow”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “pent-up.”} stream
driven on by wind sent from the Lord. ^{▼▼ Heb “the wind of the Lord drives it on.” The term רוּחַ (ruakh) could be translated “breath” here (see 30:28).}
20 “A protector ^{▼▼ Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.} comes to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their rebellious deeds,” ^{▼▼ Heb “and to those who turn from rebellion in Jacob.”} says the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my promise to ^{▼▼ Or “my covenant with” (so many English versions); NCV “my agreement with.”} ^{▼▼ The Lord promises the repentant (note “to them”) that they and their offspring will possess his spirit and function as his spokesmen. In this regard they follow in the footsteps of the Lord’s special servant. See 42:1; 49:2; 51:16.} them,” says the Lord. “My spirit, who is upon you, and my words, which I have placed in your mouth, will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and descendants from this time forward,” ^{▼▼ Heb “from now and on into the future.”} says the Lord.

Isaiah 60

Zion’s Future Splendor

1 “Arise! Shine! For your light arrives!
The splendor ^{▼▼ Or “glory” (so most English versions).} of the Lord shines on you!
2 For, look, darkness covers the earth
and deep darkness covers ^{▼▼ The verb “covers” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).} the nations,
but the Lord shines on you;
his splendor ^{▼▼ Or “glory” (so most English versions); TEV “the brightness of his presence.”} appears over you.
3 Nations come to your light,
kings to your bright light.
4 Look all around you! ^{▼▼ Heb “Lift up around your eyes and see!”}
They all gather and come to you –
your sons come from far away
and your daughters are escorted by guardians.
5 Then you will look and smile, ^{▼▼ Or “shine,” or “be radiant” (NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).}
you will be excited and your heart will swell with pride. ^{▼▼ Heb “and it will tremble and be wide, your heart.”}
For the riches of distant lands ^{▼▼ Heb “the wealth of the sea,” i.e., wealth that is transported from distant lands via the sea.} will belong to you
and the wealth of nations will come to you.
6 Camel caravans will cover your roads, ^{▼▼ Heb “an abundance of camels will cover you.”}
young camels from Midian and Ephah.
All the merchants of Sheba ^{▼▼ Heb “all of them, from Sheba.”} will come,
bringing gold and incense
and singing praises to the Lord. ^{▼▼ Heb “and they will announce the praises of the Lord.”}
7 All the sheep of Kedar will be gathered to you;
the rams of Nebaioth will be available to you as sacrifices. ^{▼▼ Heb “will serve you,” i.e., be available as sacrifices (see the next line). Another option is to understood these “rams” as symbolic of leaders who will be subject to the people of Zion. See v. 10.}
They will go up on my altar acceptably, ^{▼▼ Heb “they will go up on acceptance [on] my altar.” Some have suggested that the preposition עַל (’al) is dittographic (note the preceding יַעֲלוּ [ya’alu]). Consequently, the form should be emended to לְרָצוֹן (l^eratson, “acceptably”; see BDB 953 s.v. רָצוֹן). However, the Qumran scroll 1QIsa^a has both לרצון followed by the preposition על, which would argue against deleted the preposition. As the above translation seeks to demonstrate, the preposition עַל (’al) indicates a norm (“in accordance with acceptance” or “acceptably”; IBHS 218 #11.2.13e, n. 111) and the “altar” functions as an objective accusative with a verb of motion (cf. Gen 49:4; Lev 2:2; Num 13:17; J. N. Oswalt, Isaiah [NICOT], 2:534, n. 14).}
and I will bestow honor on my majestic temple.
8 Who are these who float along ^{▼▼ Heb “fly” (so KJV, NASB, NRSV); NAB, NIV “fly along.”} like a cloud,
who fly like doves to their shelters? ^{▼▼ Heb “to their windows,” i.e., to the openings in their coops. See HALOT 83 s.v. אֲרֻבָּה.}
9 Indeed, the coastlands ^{▼▼ Or “islands” (NIV); CEV “distant islands”; TEV “distant lands.”} look eagerly for me,
the large ships ^{▼▼ Heb “the ships of Tarshish.” See the note at 2:16.} are in the lead,
bringing your sons from far away,
along with their silver and gold,
to honor the Lord your God, ^{▼▼ Heb “to the name of the Lord your God.”}
the Holy One of Israel, ^{▼▼ See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.} for he has bestowed honor on you.
10 Foreigners will rebuild your walls;
their kings will serve you.
Even though I struck you down in my anger,
I will restore my favor and have compassion on you. ^{▼▼ Heb “in my favor I will have compassion on you.”}
11 Your gates will remain open at all times;
they will not be shut during the day or at night,
so that the wealth of nations may be delivered,
with their kings leading the way. ^{▼▼ Or “led in procession.” The participle is passive.}
12 Indeed, ^{▼▼ Or “For” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); TEV “But.”} nations or kingdoms that do not serve you will perish;
such nations will be totally destroyed. ^{▼▼ The infinitive absolute appears before the finite verb for emphasis.}
13 The splendor of Lebanon will come to you,
its evergreens, firs, and cypresses together,
to beautify my palace; ^{▼▼ Or “holy place, sanctuary.”}
I will bestow honor on my throne room. ^{▼▼ Heb “the place of my feet.” See Ezek 43:7, where the Lord’s throne is called the “place of the soles of my feet.”}
14 The children of your oppressors will come bowing to you;
all who treated you with disrespect will bow down at your feet.
They will call you, ‘The City of the Lord,
Zion of the Holy One of Israel.’ ^{▼▼ See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.}
15 You were once abandoned
and despised, with no one passing through,
but I will make you ^{▼▼ Heb “Instead of your being abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, I will make you.”} a permanent source of pride
and joy to coming generations.
16 You will drink the milk of nations;
you will nurse at the breasts of kings. ^{▼▼ The nations and kings are depicted as a mother nursing her children. Restored Zion will be nourished by them as she receives their wealth as tribute.}
Then you will recognize that I, the Lord, am your deliverer,
your protector, ^{▼▼ Or “redeemer.” See the note at 41:14.} the powerful ruler of Jacob. ^{▼▼ See 1:24 and 49:26.}
17 Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold,
instead of iron, I will bring you silver,
instead of wood, I will bring you ^{▼▼ The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding lines).} bronze,
instead of stones, I will bring you ^{▼▼ The words “I will bring you” are supplied in the translation; they are understood by ellipsis (see the first two lines of the verse).} iron.
I will make prosperity ^{▼▼ Or “peace” (KJV and many other English versions).} your overseer,
and vindication your sovereign ruler. ^{▼▼ The plural indicates degree. The language is ironic; in the past Zion was ruled by oppressive tyrants, but now personified prosperity and vindication will be the only things that will “dominate” the city.}
18 Sounds of violence ^{▼▼ The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.} will no longer be heard in your land,
or the sounds of ^{▼▼ The words “sounds of” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.} destruction and devastation within your borders.
You will name your walls, ‘Deliverance,’
and your gates, ‘Praise.’
19 The sun will no longer supply light for you by day,
nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you;
the Lord will be your permanent source of light –
the splendor of your God will shine upon you. ^{▼▼ Heb “and your God for your splendor.”}
20 Your sun will no longer set;
your moon will not disappear; ^{▼▼ In this verse “sun” and “moon” refer to the Lord’s light, which will replace the sun and moon (see v. 19). Light here symbolizes the restoration of divine blessing and prosperity in conjunction with the Lord’s presence. See 30:26.}
the Lord will be your permanent source of light;
your time ^{▼▼ Heb “days” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).} of sorrow will be over.
21 All of your people will be godly; ^{▼▼ Or “righteous” (NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NAB “just.”}
they will possess the land permanently.
I will plant them like a shoot;
they will be the product of my labor,
through whom I reveal my splendor. ^{▼▼ Heb “a shoot of his planting, the work of my hands, to reveal splendor.”}
22 The least of you will multiply into ^{▼▼ Heb “will become” (so NASB, NIV).} a thousand;
the smallest of you will become a large nation.
When the right time comes, I the Lord will quickly do this!” ^{▼▼ Heb “I, the Lord, in its time, I will quickly do it.”}