Isa 65:17-23 | NETfull | STEP | For look, I am ready to create new heavens and a new earth! The former ones will not be remembered; no one will think about them anymore.

Isaiah 65:17-23

17 For look, I am ready to create
new heavens and a new earth! ^{▼▼ This hyperbolic statement likens the coming transformation of Jerusalem (see vv. 18–19) to a new creation of the cosmos.}
The former ones ^{▼▼ Or perhaps, “the former things” (so ASV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); TEV “The events of the past.”} will not be remembered;
no one will think about them anymore. ^{▼▼ Heb “and they will not come up on the mind.”}
18 But be happy and rejoice forevermore
over what I am about to create!
For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem ^{▼▼ For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; Journey of Paul map 1-F4; Journey of Paul map 2-F4; Journey of Paul map 3-F4; Journey of Paul map 4-F4.} to be a source of joy, ^{▼▼ Heb “Jerusalem, joy.” The next verse suggests the meaning: The Lord will create Jerusalem to be a source of joy to himself.}
and her people to be a source of happiness. ^{▼▼ Heb “her people, happiness.” See the preceding note.}
19 Jerusalem will bring me joy,
and my people will bring me happiness. ^{▼▼ Heb “and I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be happy in my people.”}
The sound of weeping or cries of sorrow
will never be heard in her again.
20 Never again will one of her infants live just a few days ^{▼▼ Heb “and there will not be from there again a nursing infant of days,” i.e., one that lives just a few days.}
or an old man die before his time. ^{▼▼ Heb “or an old [man] who does not fill out his days.”}
Indeed, no one will die before the age of a hundred, ^{▼▼ Heb “for the child as a son of one hundred years will die.” The point seems to be that those who die at the age of a hundred will be considered children, for the average life span will be much longer than that. The category “child” will be redefined in light of the expanded life spans that will characterize this new era.}
anyone who fails to reach ^{▼▼ Heb “the one who misses.” חָטָא (khata’) is used here in its basic sense of “miss the mark.” See HALOT 305 s.v. חטא. Another option is to translate, “and the sinner who reaches the age of a hundred will be cursed.”} the age of a hundred will be considered cursed.
21 They will build houses and live in them;
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 No longer will they build a house only to have another live in it, ^{▼▼ Heb “they will not build, and another live [in it].”}
or plant a vineyard only to have another eat its fruit, ^{▼▼ Heb “they will not plant, and another eat.”}
for my people will live as long as trees, ^{▼▼ Heb “for like the days of the tree [will be] the days of my people.”}
and my chosen ones will enjoy to the fullest what they have produced. ^{▼▼ Heb “the work of their hands” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “their hard-won gains.”}
23 They will not work in vain,
or give birth to children that will experience disaster. ^{▼▼ Heb “and they will not give birth to horror.”}
For the Lord will bless their children
and their descendants. ^{▼▼ Heb “for offspring blessed by the Lord they [will be], and their descendants along with them.”}