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1 <1> This is the vision[1] of Isaiah son of Amoz. God showed Isaiah what would happen to Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw this during the time when Uzziah,[2] Jotham,[3] Ahaz,[4] and Hezekiah[5] were kings of Judah.
<2> Heaven and Earth, listen to the Lord! The Lord says,
“I raised my children
and helped them grow up, but they turned against me.
<3> A bull knows its master,
and a donkey knows where its owner feeds it.
But Israel does not know me.
My people don’t understand.”
<4> Oh, look at that sinful nation! Their guilt is like a heavy weight that they must carry. They are evil, destructive children.[6] They left the Lord and insulted the Holy One of Israel. They turned away and treated him like a stranger.
<5> [Israel,] what good will it do to keep punishing you? You will continue to rebel. Your whole head and heart are already sick and aching.[7] <6> From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, every part of your body has wounds, cuts, and open sores. You have not taken care of them. Your wounds have not been cleaned and bandaged.
<7> Your land is in ruins, and your cities are in flames. Your enemies have taken your land, and foreigners are taking what it produces. It looks like some foreigners destroyed it.[8]
<8> Daughter Zion[9] is now like an empty shed left in a vineyard.[10] It is like an old straw hut abandoned in a field of cucumbers or like a city surrounded by enemies. <9> If the Lord All-Powerful had not allowed a few people to live, we would have been destroyed completely like the cities of Sodom[11] and Gomorrah.[12] And that almost happened!
<10> You officers of Sodom, listen to the Lord’s message. You people of Gomorrah,[13] listen to God’s teaching. <11> The Lord says, “Why do you continue giving me all these sacrifices[14]? I have had enough of your sacrifices of rams and the fat from well-fed animals. I don’t want the blood of those bulls, sheep, and goats. <12> When you people come to meet with me, you walk on everything in my yard. Who told you to do this?
<13> “Don’t keep bringing me those worthless sacrifices. I hate the incense[15] you give me. I cannot stand your festivals for the New Moon,[16] the Sabbath,[17] and other special meeting days. I hate the evil you do during those holy times together. <14> I hate your monthly meetings and councils. They have become like heavy weights to me, and I am tired of carrying them.
<15> “When you raise your arms to pray to me, I will refuse to look at you. You will say more and more prayers, but I will refuse to listen because your hands are covered with blood.
<16> “Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong. <17> Learn to do good. Treat people fairly. Punish those who hurt others. Speak up for the widows and orphans. Argue their cases for them in court.”
<18> “Come, let’s discuss this. Your sins might be as dark as red dye, but that stain could be removed and you would be as pure as wool that is as white as snow.
<19> “If you listen to what I say, you will get the good things from this land. <20> But if you refuse to listen and rebel against me, your enemies will destroy you.”
The Lord himself said this.
<21> Look at Jerusalem. She was a faithful city. What made her become like a prostitute? In the past, Jerusalem was filled with justice, and goodness should live there now. Instead, there are murderers.
<22> Once, you were like pure silver, but now you are like the impurities that people throw away when the silver is purified. You are like good wine that has been weakened with water. <23> Your rulers are rebels and friends of thieves. They demand bribes and accept money for doing wrong. They take money to cheat people, and they don’t speak up for widows and orphans. They will not even listen to their cries for help.
<24> Because of this, the Master, the Lord All-Powerful, the Mighty One of Israel, says, “Look, I will get relief from my enemies. You will not cause me any more trouble. <25> People use lye to clean silver. In the same way I will clean away all your wrongs. I will remove all the impurities from you. <26> I will bring back the kind of judges you had in the beginning. Your counselors will be like those you had long ago. Then you will be called ‘The Good and Faithful City.’”
<27> God is good and does what is right, so he will rescue Zion[18] and the people who come back to him. <28> But all the criminals and sinners will be destroyed. Those who stopped following the Lord will be removed.
<29> In the future, people will be ashamed of the oak trees and special gardens[19] you chose to worship. <30> That is because you will be like an oak tree whose leaves are dying. You will be like a garden dying without water. <31> Powerful people will be like small, dry pieces of wood, and what they did will be like the sparks that start a fire. These people and their works will both burn up, and no one will be able to put out that fire.
2
<1> Isaiah son of Amoz saw this message about Judah and Jerusalem.
<2> In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s Temple[20] will be on the highest mountain. It will be raised higher than all the hills. There will be a steady stream of people from all nations going there. <3> Many people will go there, saying, “Let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Temple of the God of Jacob.[21] Then God will teach us his way of living, and we will follow him.”
His teaching—the Lord’s message—will begin in Jerusalem on Mount Zion[22] and will go out to all the world. <4> Then God will be a judge for all nations. He will criticize people from many lands, and they will stop using their weapons for war. They will hammer their swords into plows and use their spears to make garden tools. They will stop fighting other people. They will never again train for war.
<5> Family of Jacob, let us follow the Lord.
<6> Family of Jacob, you have abandoned your people. This is clear because they have been filled with bad influences from the East,[23] and now your people try to tell the future like the Philistines.[24] They have completely accepted those strange ideas. <7> Jacob’s land has been filled with silver and gold from other places. There are many treasures there. His land has been filled with horses, and many chariots[25] are there. <8> His land is full of gods that people worship. They made those idols[26] themselves, and then bowed down to worship them. <9> The people have become worse and worse. They have become very low, and you leaders did nothing to lift them up[27]!
<10> You should be afraid of the Lord! Go hide in the dirt and behind the rocks. Hide from his glorious power!
<11> Proud people will stop being proud. They will bow down to the ground with shame, and only the Lord will still stand high.
<12> The Lord All-Powerful has a special day planned when he will punish the proud and boastful people. They will be brought down. <13> They might be like the tall cedar trees from Lebanon[28] or the great oak trees from Bashan,[29] but they will be cut down. <14> They might be like the tall mountains and high hills <15> or like the tall towers and high walls, but they will be brought down. <16> They might be like great ships from Tarshish,[30] filled with such wonderful cargo, but they will be brought down.
<17> At that time those proud people will fall. They will bow low to the ground, and only the Lord will stand high. <18> All the idols will be gone. <19> People will go into the holes in the ground and the cracks in the rocks because they fear the Lord and his great power as he stands to shake the earth.
<20> At that time people will throw away their idols they made from gold and silver. They made these statues to worship, but they will throw them into holes in the ground where bats and moles live. <21> They will go down into cracks in the rocks and boulders because they are afraid of the Lord and his glorious power as he stands to shake the earth.
<22> Stop trusting other people to save you. Do not think too highly of them; they are only humans who have not stopped breathing yet.
3 <1> Understand what I am telling you: The Master, the Lord All-Powerful, will take away everything Judah and Jerusalem depend on. He will take away all the food and water. <2> He will take away all the heroes and soldiers. He will take away all the judges,[31] the prophets,[32] the fortune-tellers, and the elders.[33] <3> He will take away the army officers and important officials. He will take away the skilled counselors and those who do magic and try to tell the future.
<4> The Lord says, “I will put young boys in charge of you. They will be your leaders. <5> The people will turn against each other. Young people will not respect those who are older. The common people will not respect important leaders.”
<6> At that time a man will grab one of his brothers from his own family and tell him, “You have a coat,[34] so you will be our leader. You will be the leader over all these ruins.”
<7> But the brother will refuse and say, “I cannot help you, I don’t have enough food or clothes for my own family. You will not make me your leader.”
<8> This will happen because Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen. They turned against the Lord. They said and did things against him, right in front of his glorious eyes.
<9> The look on their faces show that they are guilty. They are like the people of Sodom; they don’t care who sees their sin. But it will be very bad for them. They will get what they deserve.
<10> Tell the good people that good things will happen to them. They will receive a reward for what they do. <11> But it will be very bad for wicked people, because they, too, will get what they deserve. They will get what they did to others. <12> Then, even children will defeat my people, and women will rule over them.
My people, your guides lead you the wrong way, and they destroy the path you should follow.
<13> Look, the Lord is standing to judge his people. <14> The Lord is ready to present his case against the elders[35] and leaders of his people.
The Lord says, “You people have burned the vineyard,[36] and what you stole from the poor is still in your houses. <15> What gives you the right to hurt my people? What gives you the right to push the faces of the poor into the dirt?” My Master, the Lord All-Powerful said these things.
<16> The Lord says, “The women in Zion[37] have become very proud. They walk around with their heads in the air, acting like they are better than other people, flirting with their eyes and making tinkling sounds with their ankle bracelets as they take their quick little steps.”
<17> My Master will put sores on the heads of those women in Zion, and they will lose all their hair. <18> Then the Lord will take away everything they are proud of: the beautiful ankle bracelets, the necklaces that look like the sun and the moon, <19> the earrings, bracelets, and veils, <20> the scarves, the ankle chains, the sashes worn around their waists, the bottles of perfume, the charms,[38] <21> the signet rings,[39] and the nose rings, <22> the fine robes, capes, veils, and purses, <23> the mirrors, linen[40] dresses, turbans,[41] and long shawls.
<24> Those women now have sweet-smelling perfume, but it will get moldy and stink. Now they wear belts, but then they will have only ropes to wear. Now they have their hair fixed in fancy ways, but then their heads will be shaved—they will have no hair.[42] Now they have party dresses, but then they will have only mourning clothes. They have beauty marks on their faces now, but then they will have another mark. It will be a mark burned into their skin to show they are slaves.
<25> Your men will be killed with swords. Your heroes will die in war. <26> There will be crying and sadness in the meeting places by the city gates. Jerusalem will sit there empty, like a woman who lost everything to thieves and robbers and now just sits on the ground and cries.
4 <1> At that time seven women will grab one man and say, “Please marry us. We will supply our own food and make our own clothes. You won’t have to do anything else if you let us wear your name and take away our shame.”
<2> At that time the Lord’s plant[43] will be very beautiful and glorious. The people in Israel who survived will be very proud of what the land grows. <3> And all those who are left in Zion and Jerusalem will be called holy.[44] Their names were on the list of people in Jerusalem who were allowed to live.
<4> The Lord will wash away the filth[45] from the daughters of Zion.[46] He will wash away the blood from Jerusalem. With a spirit of judgment that burns like fire, he will make everything pure. <5> Then the Lord will create a cloud of smoke in the day and a bright flame of fire[47] at night over every building and over every meeting of the people on the mountain of Zion. And there will be a covering over everyone[48] for protection. <6> It will be a shelter to protect the people from the heat of the sun and from all kinds of storms and rain.
5 <1> Now I will sing a song for my friend, my love song about his vineyard.[49]
My friend had a vineyard
on a very fertile hill.
<2> He dug and cleared the field
and planted the best grapevines there.
He built a tower in the middle
and cut a winepress into the stone.
He expected good grapes to grow there,
but there were only rotten ones.
<3> My friend said,
“You people living in Jerusalem and you, man of Judah,[50]
think about me and my vineyard.
<4> What more could I do for my vineyard?
I did everything I could.
I hoped for good grapes to grow,
but there were only rotten ones.
Why did that happen?
<5> “Now, I will tell you
what I will do to my vineyard:
I will pull up the thornbushes that protect it,
and I will burn them.
I will break down the stone wall
and use the stones for a walkway.
<6> I will turn my vineyard into an empty field.
No one will care for the plants or work in the field.
Weeds and thorns will grow there.
I will command the clouds
not to rain on it.”
<7> The vineyard that belongs to the Lord All-Powerful is the house of Israel. The grapevine—the plant he loves—is the man of Judah.[51]
The Lord hoped for justice,
but there was only killing.
He hoped for fairness,
but there were only cries from people being treated badly.
<8> Look at you people! You join houses to houses and fields to fields until there is no room for anyone else. But [when the punishment comes,] you will be forced to live alone. You will be the only people in the whole land. <9> I heard my Master, the Lord All-Powerful, make this oath[52]: “I swear, all these houses will be destroyed. These big, fancy houses will be empty. <10> At that time a ten-acre vineyard will make only a little wine,[53] and many sacks of seed will grow only a little grain.[54]”
<11> You people rise early in the morning and go looking for beer to drink. You stay awake late at night, getting drunk on wine. <12> At your parties with your wine, harps, drums, flutes, and other musical instruments, you don’t see what the Lord has done. You don’t notice what his hands have made. So it will be very bad for you.
<13> My people will be captured and taken away, because they don’t really know God. Everyone, the respected leaders and the common people as well, will be hungry and thirsty. <14> They will die, and the place of death will open its mouth wide and swallow many people. Then the noisy crowds and all the beautiful, happy people who are now so comfortable will go down into the grave.
<15> The common people will be humbled, and even the important ones will bow their heads in shame. <16> The Lord All-Powerful will judge fairly, and people will honor him. They will respect the Holy God when he brings justice. <17> Then sheep will be able to go wherever they want and graze on the land that rich people once owned.
<18> Look at those people! They pull their guilt and sins behind them like people pull wagons with ropes.[55] <19> They say, “We wish God would hurry and do what he plans to do, so we can know what is going to happen. We wish the Lord’s plan would happen soon, so we can know what his plan is.”
<20> Look at those people! They say good is bad, and bad is good. They think light is dark, and dark is light. They think sour is sweet, and sweet is sour. <21> They think they are so smart. They think they are very intelligent. <22> They are famous for drinking wine, champions at mixing drinks. <23> And if you pay them enough money, they will forgive a criminal. But they will not let good people be judged fairly. <24> So bad things will happen to them. Their descendants will be destroyed completely, like straw and leaves burned in a fire. Their descendants will be like plants with rotten roots, whose flowers have all blown away like dust in the wind.
Those people refused to obey the teachings[56] of the Lord All-Powerful. They hated the message from the Holy One of Israel. <25> So the Lord became angry with his people, and he raised his hand to punish them. Even the mountains shook with fear. Dead bodies were left in the streets like garbage. But even after all that, the Lord was still angry. His hand is still raised to punish the people.
<26> Look! God is giving a sign to the nations in a faraway land. He is raising a flag and whistling for them.
Now the enemy is coming from a faraway land and will soon enter the country. They are moving very quickly. <27> The enemy soldiers never get tired and stumble. They never get sleepy and fall asleep. Their weapon belts are always ready. Their sandal straps never break. <28> Their arrows are sharp. Their bows are strung and ready to shoot. The horses’ hooves are as hard as flint. Clouds of dust rise from behind their chariots.[57]
<29> The shouts of the enemy sound like the roar of lions. Like strong, young lions, they growl and grab their prey. The captives struggle and try to escape, but there is no one to save them. <30> Then there is a roar as loud as the ocean waves, and the captives turn their face to the ground. Then there is only darkness closing in as the light fades away in that black cloud.
6 <1> In the year that King Uzziah[58] died,[59] I saw the Lord my Master sitting on a very high and wonderful throne. His long robe filled the Temple.[60] <2> Seraph angels[61] stood around him. Each angel had six wings. They used two wings to cover their faces, two wings to cover their bodies, and two wings to fly. <3> The angels were calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy, the Lord All-Powerful is very holy. His Glory[62] fills the whole earth.” <4> The sound was so loud that it caused the frame around the door to shake, and the Temple was filled with smoke.[63]
<5> I was frightened and said, “Oh, no! I will be destroyed. I am not pure enough to speak to God, and I live among people who are not pure enough to speak to him.[64] But I have seen the King, the Lord All-Powerful.”
<6> There was a fire on the altar.[65] One of the Seraph angels used a pair of tongs to take a hot coal from the fire. Then the angel flew to me with it in his hand. <7> Then he touched my mouth with the hot coal and said, “When this hot coal touched your lips, your guilt was taken away, and your sins were erased.[66]”
<8> Then I heard my Lord’s voice, saying, “Who can I send? Who will go for us?”
So I said, “Here I am. Send me!”
<9> Then the Lord said, “Go and tell the people, ‘Listen closely, but don’t understand. Look closely, but don’t learn.’ <10> Confuse them. Make them unable to understand what they hear and see. If you don’t do this, they might really look with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their minds. And if they did that, they might come back to me and be healed!”
<11> Then I asked, “Master, how long should I do this?”
The Lord answered, “Do this until the cities are destroyed and all the people are gone. Do this until there is no one left living in the houses and the land is destroyed and empty.”
<12> The Lord will make the people go far away, and there will be large areas of empty land in the country. <13> A tenth of the people will be allowed to stay in the land, but it will be destroyed again. They will be like an oak tree. When the tree is chopped down, a stump is left. This stump will be a very special seed.
7 <1> Ahaz[67] was the son of Jotham.[68] Jotham was the son of Uzziah.[69] Rezin[70] was the king of Aram,[71] Pekah son of Remaliah[72] was the king of Israel. When Ahaz was king of Judah, Rezin and Pekah went up to Jerusalem to attack it, but they were not able to defeat the city.[73]
<2> The family of David received a message that said, “The armies of Aram and Ephraim[74] have joined together in one camp.” When King Ahaz heard this message, he and the people became frightened. They shook with fear like trees of the forest blowing in the wind.
<3> Then the Lord told Isaiah, “You and your son Shear Jashub[75] should go out and talk to Ahaz. Go to the place where the water flows into the Upper Pool,[76] on the street that leads up to Laundryman’s Field.
<4> “Tell Ahaz, ‘Be careful, but be calm. Don’t be afraid. Don’t let those two men, Rezin and Remaliah’s son,[77] scare you! They are like two burning sticks. They might be hot now, but soon they will be nothing but smoke. Rezin, Aram, and Remaliah’s son became angry <5> and made plans against you. They said, <6> “Let’s go fight against Judah and divide it among ourselves. Then we will make Tabeel’s son the new king of Judah.”’”
<7-9> But the Lord my Master says, “Their plan will not succeed. Damascus is the capital of Aram, and Rezin is the ruler of Damascus for now. Samaria is the capital of Ephraim, and Remaliah’s son is the ruler of Samaria for now. But their plan will not happen. If you don’t believe this, you will not survive.[78]”
<10> Then the Lord spoke to Ahaz[79] again <11> and said, “Ask for a sign from the Lord your God to prove to yourself that this is true. You can ask for any sign you want. The sign can come from a place as deep as Sheol[80] or as high as the skies.[81]”
<12> But Ahaz said, “I will not ask for a sign as proof. I will not test the Lord.”
<13> Then Isaiah said, “Family of David, listen very carefully! Is it not enough that you would test the patience of humans? Will you now test the patience of my God? <14> In spite of that, God, my Master, will still show you a sign:
Look at the young woman.[82]
She is pregnant,
and she will give birth to a son.
She will name him Immanuel.[83]
<15> He will eat milk curds and honey[84]
as he learns to choose good and to refuse evil.
<16> But before he is old enough to make that choice,
the land of the two kings you fear will be empty.
<17> But the Lord will bring troubled times to you. These troubles will be worse than anything since the time Israel separated from Judah. This will happen to your people and to your father’s family when God brings the king of Assyria[85] to fight against you.
<18> “At that time the Lord will call for the ‘Fly’ that is now near the streams of Egypt, and he will call for the ‘Bee’ that is now in the country of Assyria. Those enemies will come to your country. <19> They will camp in the rocky canyons by the desert streams, near the bushes and watering holes. <20> The Lord will use Assyria to punish Judah. Assyria will be hired and used like a razor to shave off Judah’s beard and to remove the hair from his head and body.[86]
<21> “At that time someone might keep only one young cow and two sheep alive. <22> But there will be enough milk for them to eat milk curds. In fact, everyone left in the country will eat milk curds and honey. <23> There are now fields that have 1000 grapevines, and each grapevine is worth 1000 pieces of silver. But those fields will be covered with weeds and thorns. <24> That land will be wild and used only as a hunting ground where people go with bows and arrows. <25> People once worked the soil and grew food on these hills, but at that time people will not go there, because the fields will be covered with weeds and thorns. It will be a place where cattle graze and sheep wander.”
8 <1> The Lord told me, “Get a large scroll,[87] and use an ordinary pen[88] to write these words: ‘This is for Maher Shalal Hash Baz.’[89]”
<2> I found some men who could be trusted to serve as witnesses. They were Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah. They watched me write those words. <3> Then I went to the woman prophet. She became pregnant and had a son. The Lord told me, “Name the boy Maher Shalal Hash Baz.” <4> He said that because before the boy learns to say “Mama” and “Daddy,” God will take all the wealth and riches from Damascus[90] and Samaria[91] and give them to the king of Assyria.[92]
<5> The Lord spoke to me again. <6> My Master said, “These people[93] refuse to accept the slow-moving waters of Shiloah.[94] They prefer Rezin[95] and Remaliah’s son.” <7> But my Master will bring the king of Assyria and all his power against them. The Assyrians will come like their swift moving river, like water that rises and spills over its banks. <8> That water will be like a flash flood as it passes through Judah. It will rise to Judah’s throat and almost drown him.
But he will spread his wings over your whole country, Immanuel.[96]
<9> All you nations, prepare for war.
You will be defeated.
Listen, all you faraway countries!
Prepare for battle.
You will be defeated.
<10> Make your plans for the fight.
Your plans will be defeated.
Give orders to your armies,
but your orders will be useless, because God is with us![97]
<11> The Lord spoke to me with his great power and warned[98] me not to be like those people.[99] He said, <12> “Don’t think there is a plan against you just because the people say there is. Don’t be afraid of what they fear. Don’t let them frighten you!”
<13> The Lord All-Powerful is the one you should fear. He is the one you should respect.[100] He is the one who should frighten you. <14> If you people would respect the Lord, he would be a safe place[101] for you. But you don’t respect him, so he is like a stone that you stumble over. He is a rock that makes the two families of Israel fall. The Lord has become a trap to all the people of Jerusalem. <15> (Many people will trip over this rock. They will fall and be broken. They will be caught in the trap.)
<16> [The Lord said,] “Write this agreement.[102] Tie it up and seal it so that it cannot be changed. Give these teachings to my followers for safe keeping.”
<17> The Lord has turned away from the family of Jacob.
But I will wait for the Lord to help us.
I will wait for him, and he will save us.
<18> My children and I are signs and proofs for the people of Israel. We have been sent by the Lord All-Powerful, who lives on the Mount Zion.[103]
<19> The people will say, “Go to the fortune-tellers[104] and wizards[105] who mumble and chirp like birds. Ask them what to do.” But I say, “Shouldn’t people go to their God for help? Why go to the dead to get help for the living?” <20> You should follow the teachings and the agreement.[106] I swear, if you follow those other things, there is no future for you. <21> When the enemy comes, there will be hard times and hunger. And when he becomes hungry, he will become angry. He will say curses in the name of his king and his gods. Then he will lift his head upwards [like a roaring lion]. <22> And when the captives turn their faces to the ground, there is only a depressing darkness closing in—the dark sadness of people forced to le ave their country. And those who are trapped in that darkness will not be able to free themselves.
9 <1> In the past, people thought the land of Zebulun and Naphtali was not important. But later, that land will be honored—the land along the sea, the land east of the Jordan River, and Galilee where people from other nations live.[107] <2> Those people lived in darkness, but they will see a great light. They lived in a place as dark as death, but a great light will shine on them.
<3> God, you will make the nation grow, and you will make the people happy. They will rejoice in your presence as they do at harvest time. It will be like the joy when people take their share of things they have won in war. <4> That will happen because you will lift the heavy yoke[108] off their shoulders and take away their heavy burden. You will take away the rod that the enemy used to punish your people, as you did when you defeated Midian.[109]
<5> Every boot that marched in battle and every uniform stained with blood will be destroyed and thrown into the fire. <6> This will happen when the special child is born. God will give us a son who will be responsible for leading the people. His name will be “Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.” <7> His power will continue to grow, and there will be peace without end. This will establish him as the king sitting on David’s throne and ruling his kingdom. He will rule with goodness and justice forever and ever. The strong love[110] that the Lord All-Powerful has for his people will make that happen!
<8> The Lord gave a command against Jacob and someone in Israel fell.[111] <9> So all the people in Ephraim, including the ruler in Samaria, learned their lesson.
Those people are very proud and boastful now. They say, <10> “Yes, those bricks fell, but we will rebuild with strong stone. Yes, those little trees were chopped down, but we will plant new trees. And they will be large, strong trees.”
<11> The Lord found someone to go up and fight against Rezin.[112] The Lord stirred up his enemies. <12> As for Israel, the Arameans are in front of him and the Philistines are behind him. And they are both eating away at him. But even after all that, the Lord is still angry. His arm is still raised and ready to punish Israel.
<13> The Lord punished the people, but they did not stop sinning and come back to him. They did not come to the Lord All-Powerful for help. <14> So the Lord cut off Israel’s head and tail. He took away the branch and the stalk in one day. <15> (The head means the elders[113] and important leaders. The tail means the prophets who told lies.)
<16> Their guides are leading them the wrong way, so those who follow them will be destroyed. <17> All of them are evil, so the Lord is not happy with the young men, and he will not show mercy to their widows and orphans. That is because they are evil, lying hypocrites.[114]
But even after all that, the Lord is still angry. His arm is still raised and ready to punish them.
<18> That evil was like a small fire that started among the weeds and thorns and then spread to the larger bushes in the forest. Finally, it became a giant fire, and everything went up in smoke.
<19> The Lord All-Powerful was angry, so the land was burned. The people were fuel for the fire. No one showed any compassion to anyone else. <20> People looked to the right and grabbed whatever they could, but they were still hungry. They grabbed whatever was on their left, but still they were not satisfied. So they turned on themselves and began to eat the bodies of their own children. <21> Manasseh fought against Ephraim, and Ephraim fought against Manasseh. Then both of them turned on Judah.
But even after all that, the Lord is still angry. His arm is still raised and ready to punish them.
10 <1> Just look at those lawmakers who write evil laws and make life hard for the people. <2> They are not fair to the poor. They take away the rights of the poor and allow people to steal from widows and orphans.
<3> Lawmakers, you will have to explain what you have done. What will you do then? Your destruction is coming from a faraway country. Where will you run for help? Your money and your riches will not help you. <4> You will have to bow down like a prisoner. You will fall down like a dead man, but that will not help you. God will still be angry and ready to punish you.
<5> [The Lord says,] “I will use Assyria[115] like a stick. In my anger I will use Assyria to punish Israel. <6> I will send Assyria to fight against the people who do evil. I am angry with them, and I will command Assyria to fight against them. Assyria will defeat them and take their wealth. Israel will be like dirt for Assyria to walk on in the streets.
<7> “But Assyria does not understand that I will use him. Assyria does not think of himself as my tool. Assyria only wants to destroy other people. Assyria only plans to destroy many nations. <8> Assyria says to himself, ‘All of my officers are like kings! <9> The city of Calno is no better than the city of Carchemish. Arpad is like Hamath, and Samaria is like Damascus. <10> I defeated those evil kingdoms and now I control them. The idols[116] those people worship are better than the idols of Jerusalem and Samaria. <11> I defeated Samaria and her gods. I will also defeat Jerusalem and the idols her people have made.’”
<12> My Master will finish doing what he planned to Jerusalem and Mount Zion.[117] Then he will punish Assyria. The king of Assyria is very proud. His pride made him do many bad things, so God will punish him.
<13> The king of Assyria said, “I am very wise. By my own wisdom and power I have done many great things. I have defeated many nations. I have taken their wealth and their people as slaves. I am a very powerful man. <14> With my own hands I have taken the riches of all these people—like someone taking eggs from a bird’s nest. A bird often leaves its nest and eggs, and there is nothing to protect the nest. There is no bird to chirp and fight with its wings and beak, so anyone can come take the eggs. And there is no one to stop me from taking all the people on earth.”
<15> An ax is not better than the one who cuts with it. A saw is not better than the one who uses it. A stick is not more powerful and important than the one who picks it up and uses it to punish someone. <16> But Assyria doesn’t understand this. So the Lord All-Powerful will send a terrible disease against him. He will lose his wealth and power, like a sick man losing weight. Then Assyria’s glory will be destroyed. It will be like a fire burning until everything is gone. <17> Israel’s Light will be like a fire. The Holy One will be like a flame. He will be like a fire that first begins to burn the weeds and thorns <18> and then spreads to burn up the tall trees and vineyards.[118] Finally, everything will be destroyed—even the people. Assyria will be like a rotting log. <19> There will be a few trees le ft standing in the forest—so few that even a child could count them.
<20> Then the people from Jacob’s family who are left living in Israel will stop depending on the one who beat them. They will learn to depend on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. <21> Those who are left in Jacob’s family will again follow the Powerful God.[119]
<22> Your people are as many as the sands of the sea, but only a few of them will be left to come back to the Lord. They will return to God, but first, your country will be destroyed. God has announced that he will destroy the land, and then justice will come into the land; it will be like a river flowing full. <23> My Master, the Lord All-Powerful, really will destroy this land.
<24> My Master, the Lord All-Powerful, says, “My people living in Zion,[120] don’t be afraid of Assyria[121]! Yes, he will beat you, and it will be as the time when Egypt beat you with a stick. <25> But after a short time my anger will stop. I will be satisfied that Assyria has punished you enough.”
<26> Then the Lord All-Powerful will beat Assyria with a whip, as he defeated Midian at Raven Rock.[122] He will punish Assyria, as the time he raised the stick over the sea[123] and led his people from Egypt.
<27> Assyria will bring troubles to you—they will be like weights you have to carry on a yoke[124] on your shoulders. But that pole will be taken off your neck. It will be broken by your Strength.
<28>[125] The army of Assyria will enter near the “Ruins” (Aiath). The army will walk on the “Threshing Floor” (Migron). It will keep its food in the “Storehouse” (Micmash). <29> The army will cross the river at the “Crossing” (Maabarah) and sleep at Geba. Ramah will be afraid. The people at Gibeah of Saul[126] will run away.
<30> Cry out, Bath Gallim[127]! Laishah, listen! Anathoth, answer me! <31> The people of Madmenah are running away. The people of Gebim[128] are hiding. <32> This day the army will stop at Nob and prepare to fight against Mount Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.
<33> Look, our Master, the Lord All-Powerful, will use his great power and chop down that great tree. Great and important people will be cut down and become unimportant. <34> The Lord will cut down his enemies like an ax is used to cut down the tall trees in Lebanon.[129]
11 <1> A small tree[130] will begin to grow from the stump of Jesse.[131] That branch will grow from Jesse’s roots. <2> The Lord’s Spirit will always be with that new king to give him wisdom, understanding, guidance, and power. The Spirit will help him to know and respect the Lord. <3> He will find joy in obeying the Lord.
This king will not judge people by the way things look. He will not judge by what he hears. <4-5> He will judge the poor fairly and honestly. He will be fair when he decides what to do for the poor people of the land. If he decides people should be beaten, he will give the command, and they will be beaten. If he decides people must die, he will give the command, and those evil people will be killed. Goodness and fairness will be like a belt he wears around his waist.
<6> Then wolves will live at peace with lambs, and leopards will lie down in peace with young goats. Calves, lions, and bulls will all live together in peace. A little child will lead them. <7> Bears and cattle will eat together in peace, and all their young will lie down together and will not hurt each other. Lions will eat hay like cattle. <8> Even snakes will not hurt people. Babies will be able to play near a cobra’s[132] hole and put their hands into the nest of a poisonous snake.
<9> People will stop hurting each other. People on my holy mountain will not want to destroy things because they will know the Lord. The world will be full of knowledge about him, like the sea is full of water.
<10> At that time there will be someone special from Jesse’s family. He will be like a flag that all the nations gather around. The nations will come to him and ask him what they should do. And the place where he is will be filled with glory.
<11> At that time my Master will again reach out and take his people who are left in countries like Assyria, North Egypt, South Egypt, Ethiopia, Elam, Babylonia, Hamath, and other faraway countries around the world. <12> The Lord will gather the people of Israel and Judah who were forced to leave their country. They were scattered to all the faraway places on earth. But the Lord will raise the “flag” as a sign for the other nations, and he will gather his people together again.
<13> Then Ephraim[133] will not be jealous of Judah, and Judah will have no enemies left. And Judah will not cause trouble for Ephraim. <14> But Ephraim and Judah will attack the Philistines.[134] These two nations will be like birds flying down to catch a small animal. Together, they will take the riches from the people in the East.[135] Ephraim and Judah will control Edom, Moab, and the people in Ammon.[136]
<15> Just as the Lord divided the Red Sea near Egypt,[137] he will raise his arm in anger over the Euphrates River and hit it. It will divide into seven small rivers. They will be so small that the people can walk across with their sandals on. <16> Then God’s people who are left in Assyria will have a way to leave. It will be like the time God took the people out of Egypt.
12 <1> At that time you will say:
“I praise you Lord!
You have been angry with me,
but don’t be angry with me now.
Show your love to me.
<2> God saves me.
I trust him, and I am not afraid.
He saves me.
The Lord Yah is my strength.
He saves me, and I sing songs of praise about him.[138]”
<3> You people will get your water
from the spring of salvation.
Then you will be happy.
<4> At that time you will say,
“Praise the Lord and call out his name!
Tell everyone what he has done and how wonderful he is.”
<5> Sing songs of praise about the Lord,
because he has done great things.
Spread this news about God
throughout the whole world.
Let all people know these things.
<6> People of Zion,[139] shout about these things!
The Holy One of Israel is with you in a powerful way.
So be happy!
13 <1> God showed Isaiah son of Amoz this message[140] about Babylon:
<2> “Raise a flag on that mountain[141] where nothing grows.
Call out to the men.
Wave your arms.
Tell them to enter through the gates
for important people.
<3> “I have separated these men from the people,
and I myself will command them.
I have gathered these proud,
happy soldiers of mine to show how angry I am.
<4> “There is a loud noise in the mountains.
Listen to the noise.
It sounds like many people.
People from many kingdoms
are gathering together.
The Lord All-Powerful is calling
his army together.
<5> They are coming from a faraway land.
They are coming from beyond the horizon.
The Lord will use this army
like a weapon to show his anger.
They will destroy the whole country.”
<6> The Lord’s special day is near. So cry and be sad for yourselves. A time is coming when the enemy will steal your wealth. God All-Powerful will make that happen.[142] <7> People will lose their courage. Fear will make them weak. <8> Everyone will be afraid. They will stare at each other with shock on their faces. Fear will grip them like the pains of a woman in childbirth.
<9> Look, the Lord’s special day is coming! It will be a terrible day. God will be very angry, and he will destroy the country and get rid of the sinful people who live there. <10> The skies will be dark. The sun, the moon, and the stars will not shine.
<11> [The Lord says,] “I will cause bad things to happen to the world. I will punish the evil people for their sin. I will make proud people lose their pride. I will stop the bragging of cruel people. <12> There will be only a few people left. They will be as rare as pure gold. <13> In my anger I will shake the sky, and the earth will be moved from its place.”
That will happen on the day the Lord All-Powerful shows his anger. <14> Then the people from Babylon will run away like wounded deer or sheep that have no shepherd. Everyone will turn and run back to their own country and people. <15> Anyone caught by the enemy will be killed with a sword. <16> Everything in their houses will be stolen. Their wives will be raped, and their little children will be beaten to death while they watch.
<17> [The Lord says,] “Look, I will cause the armies of Media to attack Babylon. Nothing will stop them, even if someone offers them gold and silver. <18> They will walk on the bows of the young soldiers of Babylon. The enemy soldiers will not show any kindness or mercy even to the babies and young children. <19> Babylon will be destroyed like the time God destroyed Sodom[143] and Gomorrah.[144]
“Babylon is the most beautiful of all kingdoms. The Babylonians[145] are very proud of their city. <20> But Babylon will not continue to be beautiful. People will not continue to live there in the future. Arabs will not put their tents there. Shepherds will not bring their sheep to let them eat there. <21> The only animals living there will be wild animals from the desert. People will not be living in their houses in Babylon. The houses will be full of owls and large birds. Wild goats[146] will play in the houses. <22> Wild dogs and wolves will howl in the great and beautiful buildings. Babylon will be finished. The end is near, and it will not be delayed.”
14 <1> The Lord will again show his love to Jacob. He will again choose the people of Israel. Then he will give them their land, and the non-Israelites[147] will join themselves to the Israelites. Both people will join together and become one family—Jacob’s family. <2> Those nations will bring the Israelites back to their land. The men and women from the other nations will become slaves to Israel. In the past, those people forced the Israelites to become their slaves. But in the future, the Israelites will defeat those nations, and Israel will then rule over them. <3> In the past, you were slaves. People forced you to work hard. But the Lord will take away the hard work you were forced to do.
<4> At that time you will begin to sing this song about the king of Babylon:
The king was cruel when he ruled us,
but now his rule is finished.
<5> The Lord breaks the scepter[148] of evil rulers;
he takes away their power.
<6> In anger, the king of Babylon beat people.
He never stopped beating them.
He was an evil ruler who ruled in anger.
He never stopped hurting people.
<7> But now, the whole country rests.
The country is quiet.
Now the people begin to celebrate.
<8> You were an evil king,
and now you are finished.
Even the pine trees are happy.
The cedar trees of Lebanon rejoice.
They say, “The king chopped us down,
but now the king has fallen, and he will never stand again.”
<9> The place of death below is excited
that you are coming.
Sheol[149] is waking the spirits
of all the leaders of the earth for you.
Sheol is making the kings stand up
from their thrones.
They will be ready to meet you.
<10> They will make fun of you, saying
“Now you are as dead as we are.
Now you are just like us.”
<11> Your pride has been sent down to Sheol.
The music from your harps announces
the coming of your proud spirit.
Maggots will be the bed you lie on,
and other worms will cover your body like a blanket.
<12> You were like the morning star,
but you have fallen from the sky.
In the past, all the nations on earth
bowed down before you.
But now you have been cut down.
<13> You always told yourself,
“I will go to the skies above.
I will put my throne above God’s stars.
I will sit on Zaphon,[150] the holy mountain
where the gods meet.
<14> I will go up to the altar above the tops of the clouds.
I will be like God Most-High.”
<15> But that did not happen.
You were brought down to the deep pit—Sheol, the place of death.
<16> People will come to look at your dead body.
They will think about you and say,
“Is this the same man who caused great fear in all the kingdoms on earth,
<17> who destroyed cities and turned the land into a desert,
who captured people in war
and would not let them go home?”
<18> Kings of the earth are buried in glory,
each king with his own grave.
<19> But you were thrown out of your grave.
You are like a branch that was cut from a tree and thrown away.
You are like a dead man who fell in battle,
and other soldiers walked on him.
Now you look like any other dead man
wrapped in burial clothes.
<20> Other kings have their own graves, but you will not join them,
because you ruined your own country
and killed your own people.
So your wicked descendants will be stopped.
<21> Prepare to kill his children.
Kill them because their father is guilty.
His children will never again
take control of the land.
They will never again
fill the world with their cities.
<22> The Lord All-Powerful said, “I will stand and fight against those people. I will destroy the famous city, Babylon. I will destroy all the people there. I will destroy their children, their grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren.” The Lord himself said this.
<23> “I will change Babylon. It will be a place for animals,[151] not people. It will be a swamp. I will use the ‘broom of destruction’ to sweep Babylon away.” The Lord All-Powerful said this.
<24> The Lord All-Powerful made this promise: “I promise, this will happen exactly as I meant for it to happen. It will happen just the way I planned. <25> I will destroy the king of Assyria in my country. I will walk on him on my mountains. He forced my people to be his slaves; he put a yoke[152] on their necks. But that pole will be taken off Judah’s neck, and that burden will be removed. <26> That is what I plan to do for this land. I will use my power to punish all those nations.”
<27> When the Lord makes a plan, no one can keep it from happening. When the Lord raises his arm to punish people, no one can stop him.
<28> This message[153] was given the year King Ahaz died[154]:
<29> Country of Philistia, don’t be happy that the king who beat you is now dead. It is true that his rule has ended, but his son will come and rule. It will be like one snake giving birth to a more dangerous one. The new king will be like a quick and dangerous snake to you. <30> But even the poorest of my people will be able to eat safely. And their children will be able to lie down and feel safe. But I will make your family die from hunger, and your enemy will kill anyone who survives.
<31> People near the city gates, cry!
People in the city, cry out!
Everyone in Philistia,
your courage will melt like hot wax.
Look to the north!
There is a cloud of dust.
An army is coming,
and everyone in that army is strong.[155]
<32> But what will the messengers
from that nation report about us?
They will say,
“The Lord made Zion[156] strong,
and his poor people went there for safety.”
15 <1> This is a message about Moab[157]:
One night armies took the wealth from Ar in Moab,
and the city was destroyed.
One night armies took the wealth from Kir in Moab,
and the city was destroyed.
<2> The king’s family and the people of Dibon[158]
are going to the places of worship[159] to cry.
The people of Moab are crying
for Nebo[160] and Medeba.[161]
They shaved their heads and beards
to show their sadness.
<3> Everywhere in Moab, on the housetops and in the streets,
people are wearing black clothes.
They are crying.
<4> In Heshbon and Elealeh
they are crying loudly.
You can hear their voices
as far away as Jahaz.
Even the soldiers are scared.
They are shaking with fear.
<5> My heart cries with sorrow for Moab.
Its people are running for safety.
They run far away to Zoar.
They run to Eglath Shelishiyah.
The people are crying as they go up
the mountain road to Luhith.
They are crying loudly
as they walk on the road to Horonaim.
<6> But Nimrim Brook is as dry as a desert.
The grass has dried up;
the plants are all dead.
Nothing is green.
<7> So the people gather up everything they own
and cross the border at Arabah stream.
<8> You can hear crying everywhere in Moab—
as far away as Eglaim and Beer Elim.
<9> The water of Dimon[162] is full of blood,
and I will bring even more troubles to Dimon.
A few people living in Moab have escaped the enemy,
but I will send lions to eat them.
16 <1> You people should send a gift to the king of the land. You should send a lamb from Sela, through the desert, to the mountain of Daughter Zion.[163]
<2> The women of Moab try to cross
the river Arnon.
They run from one place to another
looking for help.
They are like little birds lost on the ground
after their nest has fallen from a tree.
<3> They say, “Help us!
Tell us what to do.
Protect us from our enemies
like shade protects us from the noon sun.
We are running from our enemies.
Hide us!
Don’t give us to our enemies.”
<4> The people from Moab were forced
to leave their homes.
So let them live in your land.
Hide them from their enemies.
The robbing will stop.
The enemy will be defeated.
The men who hurt the people
will be gone from the land.
<5> Then a new king will come.
He will be from David’s family.[164]
He will be loyal, loving and kind.
He will be a king who judges fairly.
He will do what is right and good.
<6> We have heard that the people of Moab
are very proud and conceited.
They are hot-tempered braggers,
but their boasts are only empty words.
<7> Because of their pride,
everyone in Moab will mourn for each other.
They will wish for the way things used to be
and for the fig-cakes from Kir Hareseth.[165]
<8> They will mourn because
the fields of Heshbon and the vines of Sibmah no longer grow grapes.
Foreign rulers have cut down the grapevines.
The enemy spread as far as the city of Jazer and into the desert,
and they spread down to the sea.[166]
<9> I will cry with the people of Jazer and Sibmah,
because the grapes have been destroyed.
I will cry with the people of Heshbon and Elealeh
because there will be no harvest.
There will be no summer fruit,
and there will be no shouts of joy for the harvest.
<10> There will be no joy and happiness
in the orchard.
I will end the happy singing and shouting in the vineyard.[167]
The grapes are ready to make wine,
but they will all be ruined.
<11> So I will hum a sad song for Moab and Kir Heres,[168]
like a harp playing a funeral song.
<12> The people of Moab will go to
their high places to worship.
They will go to their temple to pray,
but it will not help them.
<13> The Lord said these things about Moab many times. <14> And now the Lord says, “In three years (the way a hired helper counts time) all those people and the things they are proud of will be gone. There will be a few people left, but there will not be many.”
17 <1> This is a message[169] about Damascus[170]:
“Damascus is now a city,
but it will be destroyed.
Only ruined buildings
will be left there.
<2> People will leave the cities of Aroer.[171]
Flocks of sheep will wander freely in those empty towns;
there will be no one to bother them.
<3> The fort cities of Ephraim[172]
will be destroyed.
The government in Damascus
will be finished.
The same thing that happens to Israel
will happen to Aram.[173]
All the important people will be taken away,” says the Lord All-Powerful.
<4> “At that time Jacob’s[174] wealth
will all be gone.
Jacob will be like a man who was sick
and became weak and thin.
<5> “That time will be like the grain harvest in Rephaim Valley.[175] The workers gather the plants that grow in the field. Then they cut the heads of grain from the plants and collect the grain.
<6> “That time will also be like the olive harvest. People knock olives from the trees, but a few olives are usually left at the top of each tree. Four or five olives are left on some of the top branches. It will be the same for those cities,” says Lord All-Powerful.
<7> Then the people will look up to the one who made them. Their eyes will see the Holy One of Israel. <8> They will not trust the great things they have made. They will not go to the special gardens[176] and altars[177] they made for false gods. <9> At that time all the walled cities will be empty. They will be like the mountains and the forests[178] in the land before the Israelites came. In the past, all the people ran away because the Israelites were coming. In the future, the country will be empty again. <10> This will happen because you have forgotten the God who saves you. You have not remembered that God is your place of safety.
You brought some very good grapevines from faraway places. You might plant those grapevines, but they will not grow. <11> You will plant your grapevines one day and try to make them grow, and the next day they will blossom. But at harvest time, you will go to gather the fruit from the plants, and you will see that everything is dead. A sickness will kill all the plants.
<12> Listen to the many people!
Their loud crying sounds like the noise from the sea.
Listen, it is like the crashing of waves in the sea.
<13> And like the waves,
they will rush away when God speaks harshly to them.
They will be like chaff[179]
being chased by the wind.
They will be like tumbleweeds[180]
being chased by a storm.
<14> That night, the people will be frightened.
By morning, nothing will be left.
So our enemies will get nothing.
They will come to our land,
but nothing will be there.
18 <1> Look at the land along the rivers of Ethiopia[181] where you can hear the buzzing of insect wings. <2> That land sends people down the Nile River in reed boats.[182]
Fast messengers, go to the people
who are tall and smooth,
who are feared far and wide.
Go to that powerful nation
that defeats other countries
and whose land is divided by rivers.
Go warn them!
<3> Like a flag on a hill,
everyone on earth will see what happens.
Like a bugle call,
everyone in the country will hear it.
<4> The Lord said, “I will be in the place prepared for me.[183] I will quietly watch these things happen: On a beautiful summer day, at noon, people will be resting. (It will be during the hot harvest time when there is no rain, but only early morning dew.) <5> Then something terrible will happen. Earlier in the year, the flowers had bloomed and the new grapes had formed buds and began to grow. But before the crop is harvested, the enemy will come and cut the plants. They will break the vines and throw them away. <6> The vines will be left for the birds from the mountains and the wild animals to eat. The birds will feed on them throughout the summer, and that winter the wild animals will eat the vines.”
<7> At that time a special offering will be brought to the Lord All-Powerful from the people who are tall and smooth, from those who are feared far and wide, from that powerful nation that defeats other countries and whose land is divided by rivers.[184] This offering will be brought to the Lord’s place on Mount Zion.[185]
19 <1> A message[186] about Egypt: Look, the Lord is coming on a fast cloud. He will enter Egypt, and all the false gods of Egypt will shake with fear. Egypt’s courage will melt away like hot wax.
<2> The Lord says, “I will cause the Egyptians to fight against themselves. Men will fight their brothers. Neighbors will be against neighbors. Cities will be against cities. Kingdoms will be against kingdoms.[187] <3> The Egyptians will be afraid and confused. They will ask their false gods and wise men what they should do. They will ask their wizards and magicians, but I will ruin their plans.” <4> The Master, the Lord All-Powerful, says, “I will give Egypt to a hard master. A powerful king will rule over the people.”
<5> The water in the Nile River will dry up and disappear. <6> All the rivers will smell very bad.[188] The canals in Egypt will be dry, and the water will be gone. All the water plants will rot. <7> All the plants along the riverbanks will die and blow away. Even the plants at the widest part of the river will be dead.
<8> The fishermen, all those who catch fish from the Nile River, will become sad and they will cry. They depend on the Nile River for their food, but it will be dry. <9> Those who make cloth and those who comb and weave flax to make linen will all be sad. <10> Those who weave cloth will be broken, and those who work for money will be depressed.
<11> The leaders of the city of Zoan[189] are fools. Pharaoh’s “wise advisors” give bad advice. They say they are wise. They say they are from the old family of the kings, but they are not as smart as they think. <12> Egypt, where are your wise men? They should learn what the Lord All-Powerful has planned for Egypt. They should be the one to tell you what will happen.
<13> The leaders of Zoan have been fooled. The leaders of Noph[190] have believed lies, so they lead Egypt the wrong way. <14> The Lord confused them, so they wander around and lead Egypt the wrong way. Everything they do is wrong. They are like drunks rolling in their vomit. <15> There is nothing the leaders can do. (They are “the heads and the tails.” They are “the tops and the stalks of plants.”[191])
<16> At that time the Egyptians will be like scared women. They will be afraid of the Lord All-Powerful. He will raise his arm to punish the people, and they will be afraid. <17> The land of Judah brings fear to everyone in Egypt. Anyone in Egypt who hears the name Judah will be scared. This will happen because the Lord All-Powerful has planned terrible things to happen to Egypt. <18> At that time there will be five cities in Egypt where people speak Hebrew.[192] One of these cities will be named “Destruction City.”[193] The people in these cities will promise to follow the Lord All-Powerful.
<19> At that time there will be an altar[194] for the Lord in the middle of Egypt. At the border of Egypt there will be a monument to show honor to the Lord. <20> This will be a sign to show that the Lord All-Powerful does amazing things. Any time the people cry for help from the Lord, he will send help. He will send someone to save and defend the people—to rescue the people from those who hurt them.
<21> At that time the Lord will make himself known to the Egyptians, and they really will know the Lord. They will serve him and give him many sacrifices.[195] They will make promises[196] to the Lord, and they will do what they promise. <22> The Lord will punish the Egyptians, but then he will heal them, and they will come back to him. The Lord will listen to their prayers and heal them.
<23> At that time there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria.[197] Then the Assyrians will go to Egypt, and the Egyptians will go to Assyria. Egypt will work with Assyria.[198] <24> Then Israel, Assyria, and Egypt will join together and control the land. This will be a blessing for the land. <25> The Lord All-Powerful will bless these countries. He will say, “Egypt, you are my people. Assyria, I made you. Israel, I own you. You are all blessed!”
20 <1> Sargon[199] was the king of Assyria.[200] He sent Tarton[201] to fight against Ashdod. Tarton went there and captured the city. <2> At that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah son of Amoz. He said, “Go, take the cloth of sadness off your waist and take your sandals off your feet.” So Isaiah obeyed the Lord and went without clothes or sandals.
<3> Then the Lord said, “My servant, Isaiah has gone without clothes or sandals for three years. This is a sign for Egypt and Ethiopia. <4> The king of Assyria will defeat Egypt and Ethiopia. Assyria will take prisoners and lead them away from their countries. The people, young and old, will be led away without clothes or sandals. They will be completely naked. <5> Those who looked to Ethiopia for help will be shattered. Those who were amazed by Egypt’s glory will be ashamed.”
<6> People living along the coast will say, “We trusted those countries to help us. We ran to them so that they would rescue us from the king of Assyria. But look at them. They have been captured, so how can we escape?”
21 <1> This is a message[202] about the Sea Desert[203]:
It is coming like a storm blowing
through the Negev.[204]
It is coming in from the desert,
from a frightening nation.
<2> I was given a vision
about the hard times that will come.
I see traitors turning against you.
I see people taking your wealth.
Elam, go against them!
Media, surround the city!
I will put an end to all their moaning.
<3> I saw those terrible things,
and now I am afraid.
My fear makes my stomach hurt,
like the pain of giving birth.
What I hear scares me.
What I see makes me shake with fear.
<4> I am worried and shaking with fear.
My pleasant evening has become
a nightmare.
<5> People are rushing around shouting their orders.
“Set the table!
Post the guard!
Get something to eat and drink!
Officers, get up!
Polish your shields!”
<6> My Master said to me, “Go find someone to guard this city. He must report whatever he sees. <7> Whether he sees a chariot and a team of horses or men riding donkeys or camels, he must listen carefully.”[205]
<8> Then one day the watchman[206] called out,
“My Master, every day I have been in the watchtower[207] watching.
Every night I have been standing on duty, but …
<9> Look! I see a man in a chariot with a team of horses.[208]”
The messenger said,
“Babylon has been defeated
and has fallen to the ground.
All the statues of her false gods
were thrown to the ground and broken to pieces.”
<10> [Isaiah said,] “My crushed people, I have told you everything that I heard from the Lord All-Powerful, the God of Israel. You will be like the grain crushed on my threshing[209] floor.”
<11> This is a message about Dumah[210]:
There is someone calling to me from Seir.[211]
“Guard, how much of the night is left?
How much longer will it be night?”
<12> The guard answered,
“Morning is coming,
but then night will come again.
If you have something to ask, ask it.
Come back[212] again.”
<13> This is a message about Arabia:
A caravan[213] from Dedan spent the night
near some trees in the Arabian desert.
<14> They gave water to some thirsty travelers.
The people of Tema gave them food.
<15> They were running from swords
that were ready to kill.
They were running from bows
that were ready to shoot.
They were running from a hard battle.
<16> The Lord my Master told me this would happen. He said, “In one year, the way a hired helper counts time, all Kedar’s[214] glory will be gone. <17> Only a few of the archers,[215] the great soldiers of Kedar, will be left alive.” The Lord, the God of Israel, told me this.
22 <1> This is a message[216] about the Valley of Vision[217]:
Jerusalem, what is wrong?
Why has everyone gone up to hide in their upper rooms?
<2> This city was so happy,
but now there is a terrible uproar.
There are bodies lying everywhere,
but they were not killed with swords.
The people died,
but not while fighting.
<3> All your officers ran away together,
but they have all been captured without bows.[218]
All the leaders ran away together,
but they were found and captured.
<4> So I say, “Don’t look at me!
Let me cry!
Don’t rush to comfort me
about the destruction of Jerusalem.”
<5> The Lord chose a special day for there to be riots and confusion. People walked on each other in the Valley of Vision. The city walls were pulled down. People in the valley shouted up at those on the mountain. <6> Horse soldiers from Elam took their quivers full of arrows and rode into battle. Soldiers from Kir rattled their shields. <7> Your favorite valley was filled with chariots.[219] Horse soldiers were stationed in front of the city gates. <8> Then the cover protecting Judah[220] was removed, and the people turned to the weapons they kept at the Forest Palace.[221]
<9-11> Then you noticed how many cracks there were in the walls around the City of David,[222] so you began collecting water from the Lower Pool.[223] You counted the houses and used stones from them to repair the walls. Then you built a pool between the double walls[224] for storing water from the Old Pool.[225]
You did all this to protect yourselves, but you did not trust the God who made all these things. You did not even notice the one who made all these things so long ago. <12> So, my Master, the Lord All-Powerful, told the people to cry and mourn for their dead friends. He told them to shave their heads and wear mourning clothes. <13> But look, everyone was happy. The people rejoiced, saying:
“Kill the cattle and the sheep.
Let’s celebrate.
Let’s eat meat and drink wine,
Eat and drink for tomorrow we die.”
<14> The Lord All-Powerful said this to me and I heard it with my own ears: “You are guilty of doing wrong, and I promise that you will die before this guilt is forgiven.” My Master, the Lord All-Powerful said these things.
<15> My Master, the Lord All-Powerful, told me this: “Go to Shebna, the palace manager. <16> Ask him, ‘What are you doing here? Is anyone from your family buried here? Why are you making a grave here?’”
[Isaiah said,] “Look at this man! He is making his grave in a high place. He is cutting into rock to make his grave.
<17-18> “Man, the Lord will crush you. The Lord will roll you into a small ball and throw you far away into the open arms of another country, and there you will die.”
[The Lord said,] “You are very proud of your chariots.[226] But in that faraway land your new ruler will have better chariots. And your chariots will not look important in his palace. <19> I will force you out of your important position here. Your new leader will take you away from your important job. <20> At that time I will call for my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. <21> I will take your robe and put it on him. I will give him your scepter.[227] I will give him the important job you have, and he will be like a father to the people of Jerusalem and Judah’s family.[228]
<22> “I will put the key to David’s house around his neck. If he opens a door, no one will be able to close it. If he closes a door, no one will be able to open it. <23> He will be like a very honored chair in his father’s house. I will make him like a strong peg in a solid board. <24> All the honored and important things of his father’s house will hang on him. All the adults and little children will depend on him. They will be like little dishes and big water bottles hanging on him.
<25> The Lord All-Powerful said, “At that time the peg that is now in the solid board will get weak and break. It will fall to the ground, and everything hanging on it will be destroyed. Then everything I said in this message will happen. It will happen because the Lord said it would.”
23 <1> This is a message[229] about Tyre:
Ships traveling from Cyprus[230]
heard this message:
“Ships from Tarshish,[231] show your sadness.
Your harbor has been destroyed.”
<2> People living near the sea,
you should mourn in silence.
The merchants[232] of Sidon sent traders across the sea,
and they filled the city with riches.
<3> They traveled the seas looking for grain.
The men from Tyre bought grain that grows near the Nile River
and sold it to other nations.
<4> Sidon, you should be very sad
because now the Sea and the Fort of the Sea[233] say:
“I have no children.
I have never felt the pain of birth;
I have never given birth to children.
I have never raised young men and women.”
<5> When Egypt hears the news about Tyre,
it will feel the pain of sorrow.
<6> You ships should return to Tarshish.[234]
You people living near the sea should be sad.
<7> Isn’t this your happy city
that was founded so long ago?
People traveled great distances to live here.[235]
<8> The city of Tyre produced many leaders.
Merchants from that city are like princes.
Those traders are honored everywhere.
So who made plans against Tyre?
<9> It was the Lord All-Powerful.
He decided to make them unimportant.
<10> Ships from Tarshish, go back home.
Cross the sea as if it were a small river.
No one will stop you now.
<11> The Lord raised his arm over the sea
to make the kingdoms angry enough to fight against Tyre.
He commanded Canaan[236]
to destroy her place of safety.[237]
<12> He said, “Daughter Sidon,[238] you have been hurt badly,
so you will no longer rejoice like a bride.
Go ahead, go to Cyprus[239] for help,
but you will not find a place to rest there either.
<13> As for Babylon,
look at the land of the Chaldeans[240]!
It is not even a country now.
Assyria[241] attacked Babylon
and built war towers around it.
The soldiers took everything from
the beautiful houses.
Assyria destroyed Babylon.
They turned it into a pile of ruins
and made it a place for wild animals.
<14> So be sad, you ships from Tarshish.
Your place of safety has been destroyed.
<15> People will forget about Tyre for 70 years—that is, about the length of a king’s rule. After 70 years, Tyre will be like the prostitute in this song:
<16> “Oh, woman who men forgot,
take your harp and walk through the city.
Play your song well
and sing it often.
Maybe someone will remember you.”
<17> After 70 years, the Lord will review Tyre’s case, and he will give her a decision. Tyre will again have trade. She will be like a prostitute for all the nations on earth. <18> But Tyre will not keep the money she earns. The profit from her trade will be saved for the Lord. Tyre will give that money to the people who serve the Lord to buy good food and nice clothes.
24 <1> Look, the Lord is destroying this land.[242] He will clean out the land completely and force all the people to go far away. <2> At that time whatever happens to the common people will also happen to the priests. Slaves and masters will be the same. Women slaves and their women masters will be the same. Buyers and sellers will be the same. Those who borrow and those who lend will be the same. Bankers and those who owe the bank will be the same. <3> Everyone will be forced out of the land. The wealth will all be taken. This will happen because the Lord commanded it. <4> The country will be empty and sad. The world will be empty and weak. The great leaders of the people in this l
and will become weak.
<5> The people have made the land dirty. They did what God said was wrong. They did not obey God’s laws. They made an agreement with God a long time ago, but they broke their agreement with God. <6> The people living in this land are guilty of doing wrong, so God promised to destroy the land. The people will be punished, and only a few of them will survive.
<7> The grapevines are dying. The new wine is bad. People who were happy are now sad. <8> They have stopped showing their joy. The happy music from the drums and harps has ended. <9> People don’t sing cheerful songs while they drink their wine. The beer now tastes bitter to those who drink it.
<10> “Total Confusion” is a good name for this city. The city has been destroyed. People cannot enter the houses. The doors are blocked. <11> People still ask for wine in the marketplaces, but all the joy is gone. It was carried off with everything else. <12> All that is left is destruction. Even the gates are crushed.
<13> At harvest time, people knock olives from the trees.
But a few olives are left in the trees.
It will be like that in this land
and among the nations.
<14> Those who are left will begin shouting.
louder than the ocean.
They will rejoice about the Lord’s greatness.
<15> They will say,
“People in the east, praise the Lord!
People in faraway lands,
praise the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.”
<16> We will hear songs of praise for God
from every place on earth.
The songs will praise the Good God.
But I say, “Enough!
I have had enough.
What I see is terrible.
Traitors[243] are turning against people and hurting them.”
<17> I see troubles for you people living in this land.
I see fear, pits, and problems all around.
<18> People will hear about the danger,
and they will be scared.
Some of them will run away,
but they will fall into holes and be trapped.
Some of them will climb out of the holes,
but they will be caught in another trap.
The floodgates in the sky above will open,
and the floods will begin.
The foundations of the earth will shake.
<19> There will be earthquakes,
and the earth will split open.
<20> The sins of the world are very heavy,
so the earth will fall under that weight.
It will shake like an old house.
It will fall like a drunk.
It will not be able to continue.
<21> At that time the Lord will judge
the heavenly armies in heaven
and the earthly kings on earth.
<22> Many people will be gathered together.
They have been locked in the Pit.
They have been in prison.[244]
But finally, after much time, they will be judged.
<23> The Lord will rule as king
on Mount Zion[245] in Jerusalem.
His Glory[246] will be before the elders.[247]
[It will be so bright that]
the moon will be embarrassed;
the sun will be ashamed.
I honor you and praise your name,
because you did amazing things.
The words you said long ago are completely true;
everything happened exactly as you said it would.
<2> And you destroyed the city
that was protected by strong walls.
Now it is only a pile of rocks.
The foreign palace has been destroyed.
It will never be rebuilt.
<3> That is why powerful nations will honor you.
Powerful people from strong cities will fear you.
<4> And Lord, you are a safe place
for poor people in trouble.
You are like a shelter from floods
and shade from the heat
when powerful men attack.
They are like rain streaming down the walls
that protect us from the storm.
<5> Like the heat of summer in a dry land,
the angry shouts of those foreigners brought us to our knees.
But like a thick cloud that blocks the summer heat,
you answered their challenge.
<6> The Lord All-Powerful will give a feast for all the people on this mountain. At the feast, there will be the best foods and wines. The meat will be good and tender, the wine pure and clear.
<7> But now there is a veil covering all nations and people. This veil is called “death.” <8> But death will be destroyed forever.[248] And the Lord my Master will wipe away every tear from every face. In the past, all of his people were sad, but God will take away that sadness from the earth. All of this will happen because the Lord said it would.
<9> At that time people will say,
“Here is our God!
He is the one we have been waiting for.
He has come to save us.
We have been waiting for our Lord.
So we will rejoice and be happywhen he saves us.”
<10> The Lord’s power is on this mountain,
and Moab[249] will be defeated.
The Lord will trample the enemy,
like walking on straw in a pile of waste.
<11> Then Moab will spread his arms in it
like someone who is swimming.
But his pride will sink
with each stroke that he takes.
<12> The Lord will destroy their
high walls and safe places.
He will throw them down
into the dust on the ground.
26 <1> At that time people will sing this song in Judah:
We have a strong city
with strong walls and defenses.
But the Lord gives us our salvation.[250]
<2> Open the gates
and the good people will enter.
They are the ones who obey God’s good teachings.
<3> Lord, you give true peace
to people who depend on you,
to those who trust in you.
<4> So trust the Lord always,
because in the Lord Yah,[251]
you have a place of safety forever.
<5> But the Lord will destroy the proud city
and punish those who live there.
He will throw that high city down to the ground.
It will fall into the dust.
<6> Then poor and humble people will walk on those ruins.
<7> Honesty is the path good people follow.
They follow the path that is straight and true.
And God, you make that way smooth
and easy to follow.
<8> But Lord, we are waiting for your way of justice.
We want to honor you and your name.
<9> At night my soul longs to be with you,
and the spirit in me wants to be with you
at the dawn of every new day.
When your way of justice comes to the world,
people will learn the right way of living.
<10> Evil people will not learn to do good
even if you only show them kindness.
They do bad things
even if they live in a good world.
They might never see
the Lord’s greatness.
<11> Lord, raise your arm to punish them.
Surely they will see it, will they not?
Lord, show the evil people the strong love[252]
that you have for your people.
Surely the evil people will be ashamed.
Surely the fire will burn your enemies.
<12> Lord, you have succeeded in doing
everything we tried to do,
so give us peace.
<13> Lord, you are our God,
but in the past, we followed other lords.
We belonged to other masters,[253]
but now we want people to remember only one name—yours.
<14> Those dead lords will not come to life.
Those ghosts will not rise from death.
You decided to destroy them,
and you destroyed everything that makes us think about them.
<15> You helped the nation you love.
You stopped other people from defeating that nation.[254]
<16> Lord, people remember you
when they are in trouble.
They say quiet prayers to you
when you punish them.
<17> Lord, when we are not with you,
we are like a woman giving birth to a baby.
She cries with birth pains.
<18> In the same way, we have pain.
We give birth, but only to wind.
We don’t make new people for the world.
We don’t bring salvation to the land.
<19> [But the Lord says,]
“Your people have died,
but they will live again.
The bodies of my people
will rise from death.
Dead people in the ground,
stand and be happy!
The dew covering you is like
the dew sparkling in the light of a new day.
It shows a new time is coming when the earth
will give up the dead who are in it.”
<20> My people, go into your rooms,
and lock your doors.
Hide in there for a short time
until the Lord’s anger is finished.
<21> Look! The Lord is coming out from his place[255]
to judge the people of the world for the bad things they have done.
The earth will reveal the blood
that has been spilled on it.
It will no longer hide the proof
of those murders.
27 <1> At that time the Lord will judge Leviathan,[256] the crooked snake.
He will use his great sword, his hard and powerful sword,
to punish Leviathan, the coiled snake.
He will kill the large creature in the sea.[257]
<2> At that time people will sing
about the pleasant vineyard.[258]
<3> “I, the Lord, will care for the vineyard.
I will water it at the right time.
I will guard it day and night.
No one will hurt it.
<4> I am not angry.
But if there is war and someone builds
a wall of thornbushes,[259]
then I will march to it and burn it.
<5> But if anyone comes to me for safety and wants to make peace with me,
then let him come and make peace with me.
<6> In the future, Jacob will take root
firmly on his soil.
Then Israel will sprout and bloom,
and the world will be filled with his fruit.”
<7> Israel was not hurt as badly as the enemy who tried to hurt it. Not as many of its people were killed as were those who tried to kill them.
<8> The Lord will settle his argument with Israel by sending the people far away. He will speak harshly to Israel. His words will burn like the hot desert wind.
<9> How will Jacob’s guilt be forgiven? What will happen so his sins can be taken away? The rocks of the altar[260] will be crushed to dust; the statues[261] and altars for worshiping false gods will all be destroyed.
<10> The great city will be empty; it will be like a desert. All the people will be gone—they will run away. The city will be like an open pasture. Young cattle will eat grass there. The cattle will eat leaves from the branches of the vines. <11> The vines will become dry, and the branches will break off. Women will use them for firewood.
The people refuse to understand. So God, their Maker, will not comfort them or be kind to them.
<12> At that time the Lord will begin separating his people from others. He will begin at the Euphrates River and will gather his people from there[262] to the River of Egypt.[263]
You people of Israel will be gathered together one by one. <13> Many of my people are now lost in Assyria.[264] Some of my people have run away to Egypt. But at that time a great trumpet will be blown, and all those people will come back to Jerusalem. They will bow down before the Lord on that holy mountain.
The drunks of Ephraim[265] are proud of that city.
That city sits on a hill
with a rich valley around it.
The Samarians think their city
is a beautiful crown of flowers.
But they are drunk with wine,
and this “Beautiful Crown” is just a dying plant.
<2> Look, my Master has someone
who is strong and brave.
He will come into the country
like a storm of hail and rain.
He will come like a storm into the country.
He will be like a powerful river of water
flooding the country.
He will throw that crown[266]
down to the ground.
<3> The drunks of Ephraim are proud of their “Beautiful Crown,”
but that city will be walked on.
<4> That city sits on a hill
with a rich valley around it.
But that “Beautiful Crown of Flowers”
is just a dying plant.
It will be like the first figs of summer.
When someone sees one of those figs,
they quickly pick it and eat it.
<5> At that time the Lord All-Powerful will become the “Beautiful Crown.” He will be the “Wonderful Crown of Flowers” for his people who are left. <6> Then the Lord will give wisdom to the judges who rule his people. He will give strength to the people who are in battles at the city gates. <7> But now those leaders are drunk. The priests and prophets are all drunk with wine and beer. They stumble and fall down. The prophets are drunk when they see their dreams. The judges are drunk when they make their decisions. <8> Every table is covered with vomit. There is not a clean place anywhere.
<9> [The people say,] “Who does he think he is trying to teach and explain his message to? Does he think we are babies who were at their mother’s breast only a very short time ago? <10> [He speaks to us as though we were babies:]
“Saw lasaw saw lasaw
Qaw laqaw qaw laqaw
Ze’er sham ze’er sham.”[267]
<11> So the Lord will use this strange way of talking, and he will use other languages to speak to these people.
<12> In the past, the Lord spoke to them and said, “Here is a resting place. This is the peaceful place. Let the tired people come and rest. This is the place of peace.”
But the people did not want to listen to him, <13> so the words from God were like a foreign language[268]:
“Saw lasaw saw lasaw.
Qaw laqaw qaw laqaw.
Ze’er sham ze’er sham.”
The people did what they wanted to do, so they fell back and were defeated. They were trapped and captured.
<14> You leaders in Jerusalem should listen to the Lord’s message, but now you refuse to listen to him. <15> You have said, “We have made an agreement with death. We have a contract with death. So we will not be punished. Punishment will pass us without hurting us. We will hide behind our tricks and lies.”
<16> Because of these things, the Lord my Master says, “I will put a rock—a cornerstone—in the ground in Zion.[269] This will be a very precious stone.[270] Everything will be built on this very important rock. Anyone who trusts in that rock will not be disappointed.
<17> “Workers use a string and weight to show their work is straight and true. I will use justice as the string and goodness as the weight when I lay that foundation. But your safe places were built on lies. So they will be destroyed and washed away when the troubles come against you like hail storms and floods. <18> Your agreement with death will be erased. Your contract with Sheol[271] will not help you.
“Someone will come and punish you. He will make you like the dirt he walks on. <19> He will come and take you away. Your punishment will be terrible. Your punishment will come early in the morning, and it will continue late into the night.
“Then you will understand this story: <20> A man tried to sleep on a bed that was too short for him. He had a blanket that was not wide enough to cover him. [The bed and blanket were useless, and so were your agreements.]”
<21> The Lord will fight as he did at Mount Perazim. He will be angry as he was in Gibeon Valley.[272] He will do what he must do. It will be what some stranger should do, but he will finish his work. Yes, this is a stranger’s job. <22> Now don’t complain about these things. If you fight against them, you will only tighten the ropes around you.
The words I heard will not change. They came from the Lord All-Powerful, the ruler of all the earth, and these things will be done.
<23> Listen closely to the message I am telling you. <24> Does a farmer plow his field all the time? No, he doesn’t work the soil all the time. <25> A farmer prepares the ground, and then he plants the seed. He plants different kinds of seeds different ways. He scatters dill seeds, he throws cumin seeds on the ground, and he plants wheat in rows. A farmer plants barley in its special place, and he plants spelt[273] seeds at the edge of his field.
<26> Our God is using this to teach you a lesson. This example shows us that God is fair when he punishes his people. <27> Does a farmer use large boards with sharp teeth to crush dill seeds? No, and he doesn’t use a wagon to crush cumin seeds. A farmer uses a small stick to break the hulls from these seeds of grain. <28> People grind grain to make flour, but they don’t grind it forever. The Lord does the same thing when he punishes his people. He might scare them with the wagon wheel, but he does not allow the horses[274] to walk on them. <29> This lesson comes from the Lord All-Powerful, who gives wonderful advice. He is very wise.
29 <1> [God says,] “Look at Ariel,[275] the city where David camped. Keep on having your festivals, year after year. <2> But I will punish Ariel. The city will be filled with sadness and crying, but it will always be my Ariel.
<3> “I will put armies all around you, Ariel. I will raise war towers against you. <4> You will be pulled to the ground. Your voice will rise from the ground like the voice of a ghost. Your words come like a whisper from the dirt.”
<5> There will be so many foreigners that they will be like dust. Cruel people will be like the chaff[276] blowing in the wind. Then suddenly, <6> the Lord All-Powerful will punish you with earthquakes, thunder, and loud noises. There will be storms, strong winds, and a burning, destructive fire. <7> Many nations will fight against Ariel. It will be a nightmare. Armies will surround Ariel and punish her. <8> But it will also be like a dream to those armies. They will not get what they want. It will be like a hungry man dreaming about food. When the man wakes up, he is still hungry. It will be like a thirsty man dreaming about water. When the man wakes up, he is still thirsty. The same thing is true about all the nations fighting against Zion.[277] Those nations will not get what they want.
<9> Be surprised and amazed!
You will become drunk, but not from wine.
Look and be amazed!
You will stumble and fall, but not from beer.
<10> The Lord will make you sleepy.
He will close your eyes. (The prophets are your eyes.)
He will cover your heads. (The prophets are your heads.)
<11> To you my words are like the words in a book that is closed and sealed.[278] You can give the book to someone who can read, and tell that person to read it. But that person will say, “I cannot read the book. It is closed and I cannot open it.” <12> Or you can give the book to someone who cannot read, and tell that person to read it. That person will say, “I cannot read the book because I don’t know how to read.”
<13> My Master says, “These people worship me with words from their mouths, but their hearts are far from me. The honor they show me is nothing but human rules they have memorized. <14> So I will continue to amaze them by doing powerful and amazing things. Their wise men will lose their wisdom. Their wise men will not be able to understand.”
<15> Look at them! They try to hide things from the Lord. They think he will not understand. They do their evil things in darkness. They tell themselves: “No one can see us. No one will know who we are.”
<16> You turn things upside down. You think the clay is equal to the potter.[279] You think that something made can tell the one who made it, “You did not make me!” This is like a pot telling its maker, “You don’t understand.”
<17> This is the truth: After a very short time, Lebanon will become rich farmland, and the farmland will be like lush forests. <18> The deaf will hear the words in the book. The blind will see through the darkness and fog. <19> The Lord will make poor people happy. The poorest people will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
<20> This will happen when the people who are mean and cruel have come to an end. It will happen when those who enjoy doing bad things are gone. <21> (They lie about good people. They try to trap people in court. They try to destroy innocent people.)
<22> So the Lord speaks to Jacob’s family. (This is the Lord who made Abraham free.) He says, “Now the people of Jacob will not be embarrassed and ashamed. <23> They will see all their children that I made with my hands, and they will say that my name is holy. They will honor[280] the Holy One of Jacob, and they will respect the God of Israel. <24> Many of these people did not understand, so they did what was wrong. They complained, but now they will learn their lesson.”
30 <1> The Lord said, “Look at these children. They don’t obey me. They make plans, but they don’t ask me to help them. They make agreements with other nations, but my Spirit does not want those agreements. These people are adding more and more sins to the ones they have already done. <2> They are going down to Egypt for help, but they did not ask me if that was the right thing to do. They hope they will be saved by the Pharaoh.[281] They want Egypt to protect them.
<3> “But I tell you, hiding in Egypt will not help you. Pharaoh will not be able to protect you. <4> Your leaders have gone to Zoan,[282] and your ambassadors have gone to Hanes.[283] <5> But they will be disappointed. They are depending on a nation that cannot help them. Egypt is useless—it will not help. Egypt will bring nothing but shame and embarrassment.”
<6> This is a message[284] about the Negev animals[285]:
There is a dangerous place full of lions, adders,[286] deadly snakes,[287] and useless people. And there are people who load their wealth onto donkeys and their treasures on the backs of camels. They carry them to a people who cannot help. <7> That useless nation is Egypt. Egypt’s help is worth nothing, so I call Egypt the “Do-Nothing Dragon.”[288]
<8> Now write this on a sign so that all people can see it, and write this in a book. Write these things for the last days. This will be far, far in the future:[289]
<9> These people are like children who refuse to obey. They lie and refuse to listen to the Lord’s teachings. <10> They tell the prophets, “Don’t see dreams[290] about things we should do. Don’t tell us the truth. Say nice things to us and make us feel good. See only good things for us. <11> Stop seeing things that will really happen. Get out of our way. Stop telling us about the Holy One of Israel.”
<12> The Holy One of Israel says, “You people have refused to accept this message from the Lord. You want to depend on fighting and lies to help you. <13> You are guilty of these things. So you are like a tall wall with cracks in it. That wall will fall and break into small pieces. <14> You will be like a large clay jar that breaks into many small, useless pieces. You cannot use them to get a hot coal from the fire or to get water from a pool in the ground.”
<15> The Lord my Master, the Holy One of Israel, says, “If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong.”
But you don’t want to do that. <16> You say, “No, we need fast horses for battle.” That is true—you will need fast horses, but only to run away because your enemy will be faster than your horses. <17> One enemy soldier will make threats, and a thousand of your men will run away. And when five of them make threats, all of you will run away. The only thing that will be left of your army will be a flagpole on a hill.
<18> So the Lord is waiting to show his mercy to you. He wants to rise and comfort you. The Lord is the God who does the right thing, so he will bless everyone who waits for his help.
<19> The Lord’s people will live in Jerusalem on Mount Zion.[291] You people will not continue crying. The Lord will hear your crying and he will comfort you. When he hears you, he will help you.
<20> My Master might give you sorrow and pain, like the bread and water you eat every day. But God is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. <21> Then, if you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. This is the right way.”
<22> Then you will defile[292] the idols you covered with gold and silver, and you will throw them away like waste and dirty rags.[293]
<23> At that time the Lord will send you rain. You will plant seeds, and the ground will grow food for you. You will have a very large harvest. You will have plenty of food in the fields for your animals. There will be large fields for your sheep. <24> Your cattle and donkeys will have all the food they need. There will be much food. You will have to use shovels and pitchforks to spread all the food[294] for your animals to eat. <25> Every mountain and hill will have streams filled with water. These things will happen after many people are killed and the enemy’s towers are pulled down.
<26> At that time the light from the moon will be as bright as the sun, and the light from the sun will be seven times brighter than it is now. One day of sunlight will be like a whole week’s worth. This will happen when the Lord bandages his broken people and heals the hurts from their beatings.
<27> Look! The Lord’s Name is coming from far away. His anger is like a fire with thick clouds of smoke. His mouth is filled with anger, and his tongue is like a burning fire. <28> His breath is like a great river—rising until it reaches the throat. He will judge the nations. It will be like he shakes them through the ‘Strainer of Destruction.’ He will control them like a bit that controls an animal has been put in the mouths of the people.
<29> You will sing happy songs, like the nights when you begin a festival. You will be very happy walking to the Lord’s mountain and listening to the flute on the way to worship the Lord, the Rock[295] of Israel.
<30> The Lord will cause all people to hear his great voice and to see his powerful arm come down in anger. That arm will be like a great fire that burns everything. His power will be like a great storm with much rain and hail. <31> Assyria[296] will be frightened by the Lord’s voice and the stick that will beat him. <32> And as the Lord beats Assyria, his people will keep the rhythm with their drums and harps.
<33> Topheth[297] has been made ready for a long time. It is ready for the king.[298] It was made very deep and wide. There is a very big pile of wood and fire there, and the Lord’s breath will come like a stream of burning sulfur to start the fire.
31 <1> Look at the people going down to Egypt for help. They think the horses they get will save them. They hope the many chariots[299] and powerful soldiers will protect them. But the people don’t trust the Holy One of Israel. They didn’t ask the Lord for help. <2> But he is the wise one who is bringing the disaster. And they will not be able to stop what he commanded. The Lord will attack those evil people and whoever tries to help them.
<3> The Egyptians are only human, not God. The horses from Egypt are only animals, not spirit. The Lord will stretch out his arm, and the helper will be defeated. And those who wanted help will fall. They will all be destroyed together.
<4> The Lord told me: “When a lion or its cub catches an animal to eat, the lion stands over the dead animal and roars, and nothing can scare it away. If men come and yell at the lion, the lion will not be afraid. They might make a lot of noise, but the lion will not run away.”
In the same way the Lord All-Powerful will come down to Mount Zion.[300] He will fight on that hill. <5> The Lord All-Powerful will defend[301] Jerusalem just like birds flying over their nests. He will save her. He will “pass over” and save Jerusalem.
<6> People of Israel, you should come back to the God you turned away from. <7> That is because when those things happen, people will reject the gold and silver idols you made when you sinned against me.
<8> It is true that Assyria[302] will be defeated with a sword, but it will not be a human sword that defeats him. Assyria will be destroyed, but that destruction will not come from a man’s sword. Assyria will run away from God’s sword, but the young men will be caught and made slaves. <9> Their place of safety will be destroyed. Their leaders will be defeated, and they will abandon their flag.
The Lord, whose fireplace is on Zion and whose oven[303] is in Jerusalem, is the one who said this.
32 <1> Listen to what I say! A king should rule in a way that brings justice. Leaders should make fair decisions when they lead the people. <2> If this would happen, the king[304] would be like a shelter to hide from the wind and rain, like streams of water in a dry land, and like the cool shadow of a large rock in a hot land. <3> Then people would actually see what they look at. They would actually listen to what they hear. <4> People who are now confused would be able to understand. Those who cannot speak clearly now would be able to speak clearly and quickly. <5> Fools would not be called great men. People would not respect men who make secret plans.
<6> Fools[305] says foolish things, and in their mind, plan evil things to do. Fools want to do what is wrong. They say bad things about the Lord. They don’t let hungry people eat their food. They don’t let thirsty people drink the water. <7> They use evil like a tool and plan ways to steal from the poor. They tell lies about the poor and keep them from being judged fairly.
<8> But a good leader plans good things to do, and that will make him a leader over other leaders.
<9> Some of you women are calm now; you feel safe. But you should stand and listen to the words I say. <10> You feel safe now, but after one year you will be troubled. That is because you will not gather grapes next year—there will be no grapes to gather.
<11> Women, you are calm now, but you should be afraid. You feel safe now, but you should be worried. Take off your nice clothes and put on your clothes of sadness. Wrap those clothes around your waist. <12> Put those clothes of sadness over your sorrow-filled breasts.
Cry because your fields are empty. Your vineyards[306] once gave grapes, but now they are empty. <13> Cry for the land of my people. Cry because only thorns and weeds will grow there. Cry for the city and for all the houses that were once filled with joy.
<14> People will leave the capital city. The palace and towers will be left empty. People will not live in houses—they will live in caves. Wild donkeys and sheep will live in the city—animals will go there to eat grass.
<15> This will continue until God gives us his Spirit from above. Then the desert will become rich farmland and the farmland will be like lush forests. <16> That is, what is now a desert will be filled with good decisions, and what is now a farmland will be filled with justice. <17> That justice will bring peace and safety forever. <18> My people will be safe in their homes and in their calm, peaceful fields.
<19> But before this happens, the forest must fall and the city must be torn down. <20> Some of you live away from the cities. You plant seeds by every stream and let your cattle and donkeys roam free. You will be very blessed.
33 <1> Look at you. You attack others when you have not been attacked. You betray others when no one has betrayed you. So when you stop your attacks, you will be attacked. When you stop your betrayals, you will be betrayed.
<2> Lord, be kind to us.
We have waited for your help.
Lord, give us strength every morning.
Save us when we are in trouble.
<3> Your powerful voice scares people,
and they run away from you.
Your greatness causes the nations
to run away.
<4> You stole things in war. Those things will be taken from you. Many people will come and take your wealth. It will be like the times when locusts[307] come and eat all your crops.
<5> The Lord is very great. He lives in a very high place. He fills Zion[308] with justice and goodness.
<6> Jerusalem, you are rich with wisdom and knowledge of God. You are rich with salvation. You respect the Lord and that makes you rich.
<7> But listen! The messengers are crying outside. The messengers[309] who bring peace are crying very hard. <8> The roads are empty; there is no one walking along the paths. People don’t respect each other. They have broken the agreements they made, and they refuse to believe what witnesses[310] tell them. <9> The land is sick and dying. Lebanon[311] is dying and Sharon Valley[312] is dry and empty. Bashan[313] and Carmel[314] once grew beautiful plants—but now those plants have stopped growing.
<10> The Lord says, “Now, I will stand and show people how great and powerful I am. <11> You people have done useless things. These things are like hay and straw. They are worth nothing! Your spirit[315] will be like a fire and burn you. <12> People will be burned until their bones become lime.[316] They will burn quickly like thorns and dry bushes.
<13> “You people in faraway lands, listen to what I have done. You people who are near me, learn about my power.”
<14> The sinners in Zion are afraid. Those who do wrong shake with fear. They say, “Can any of us live through this fire that destroys? Who can live near this fire that burns forever?”[317]
<15> Good, honest people who refuse to hurt others for money [will live through that fire]. They refuse to take bribes. They refuse to listen to plans to murder other people. They refuse to look at plans for doing bad things. <16> They will live safely in high places. They will be protected in high rock fortresses. They will always have food and water.
<17> Your eyes will see the King in his beauty. You will see the great land. <18-19> When you think about the troubles you had in the past, you will wonder, “Where are those foreigners who spoke languages we could not understand. Where are the officials and tax collectors from other lands? Where are the spies who counted our defense towers?”
<20> Look at Zion,[318] the city of our religious festivals. Look at Jerusalem—that beautiful place of rest. Jerusalem is like a tent that will never be moved. The pegs that hold her in place will never be pulled up. Her ropes will never be broken, <21-23> because the Lord is our powerful leader there. That land is a place with streams and wide rivers, but there will be no enemy boats or powerful ships on those rivers. You men who work on such boats can stop your work with the ropes. You cannot make the mast[319] strong enough. You will not be able to open your sails, because the Lord is our judge.[320] He makes our laws. He is our king. He saves us. The Lord will give us our wealth. Even crippled people w ill get their share. <24> No one living there will say, “I am sick,” because everyone living there has had their guilt removed.
34 <1> All you nations, come near and listen! Listen, all you people. The earth and everyone on it should listen to these things. Everything in this world should hear this. <2> The Lord is angry with all the nations and their armies. He will destroy them all and put them to death. <3> Their bodies will be thrown outside. The stink will rise from the bodies, and the blood will flow down the mountains. <4> The skies will be rolled shut like a scroll,[321] and the stars will die and fall like leaves from a vine or a fig tree. All the stars[322] in the sky will rot away. <5> The Lord says, “This will ha
ppen when my sword in the sky is covered with blood.”
Look, the Lord’s sword will cut through Edom.[323] He judged them guilty, and they must die.[324] <6> He decided there should be a time for killing in Bozrah[325] and in Edom. So the Lord’s sword is covered with blood and fat. The blood is from the “goats.” The fat is from the kidneys of the “rams.”[326] <7> So the rams, the cattle, and the strong bulls will be killed. The land will be filled with their blood. The dirt will be covered with their fat.
<8> This will happen because the Lord has chosen a time for punishment. He has chosen a year when people must pay for the wrong they did to Zion.[327] <9> Edom’s rivers will be like hot tar.[328] Edom’s ground will be like burning sulfur.[329] <10> The fires will burn day and night—no one will stop the fire. The smoke will rise from Edom forever. The land will be destroyed forever and ever. No one will ever travel through that land again. <11> Birds and small animals will own that land. Owls and ravens will live there. People will call it the “Empty Desert.”[330] <12> The freemen[331] and leaders will all be gone, and there will be nothing left for them to rule.
<13> Thorns and wild bushes will grow in all the beautiful homes there. Wild dogs and owls will live in them. Wild animals will make their homes there. Big birds will live in the grasses that grow there. <14> Wild cats will live there with hyenas.[332] Wild goats[333] will call to their friends. Night animals[334] will spend some time there and find a place to rest. <15> Snakes will make their homes there and lay their eggs. The eggs will open, and small snakes will crawl from the dark places. Birds that eat dead things will gather there like women visiting their friends.
<16> Look at the Lord’s scroll.[335] Read what is written there. Nothing is missing. It is written in that scroll that these animals will be together. God said he will gather them together, so his Spirit will gather them together. <17> God decided what he should do with them. Then he chose a place for them. He drew a line and showed them their land. So the animals will own that land forever. They will live there year after year.
35 <1> The dry desert will rejoice. The desert will be glad and blossom. <2> It will be covered with flowers and dance with joy. It will be as beautiful as the forest of Lebanon,[336] the hill of Carmel,[337] and the Sharon Valley.[338] This will happen because all people will see the Glory of the Lord.[339] They will see the beauty of our God.
<3> Make the weak arms strong again. Strengthen the weak knees. <4> People are afraid and confused. Say to them, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid!” Look, your God will come and punish your enemies. He will come and give you your reward. The Lord will save you. <5> Then the eyes of the blind will be opened so that they can see, and the ears of the deaf will be opened so that they can hear. <6> Crippled people will dance like deer, and those who cannot speak now will use their voices to sing happy songs. This will happen when springs of water begin to flow in the dry desert. <7> Now people see mirages[340] that look like water, but then there will be real pools of water. There will be wells in the dry land where water flows from the ground. Tall water plants will grow where wild animals once ruled.
<8> There will be a road there. This highway will be called “The Holy Road.” Evil people will not be allowed to walk on that road. No fools[341] will walk on it. Only good people will walk there. <9> There will be no dangers on that road. There will be no lions there to hurt people. There will be no dangerous animals on it. That road will be for the people God saves.
<10> God will make his people free, and they will come back to him. They will come into Zion[342] rejoicing. They will be happy forever. Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads. Their gladness and joy will fill them completely. Sorrow and sadness will be gone far, far away.
36 <1> During Hezekiah’s[343] 14th year as king, Sennacherib[344] king of Assyria went to fight against all the strong cities of Judah. Sennacherib defeated those cities. <2> He sent his commander with a large army to King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. The commander and his army left Lachish and went to Jerusalem. They stopped near the aqueduct[345] by the Upper Pool,[346] on the street that leads up to Laundryman’s Field.
<3> Three men from Jerusalem went out to talk with the commander. These men were Eliakim son of Hilkiah, Joah son of Asaph, and Shebna. Eliakim was the palace manager, Joah was the record keeper, and Shebna was the royal secretary.
<4> The commander told them, “Tell Hezekiah this is what the great king, the king of Assyria says:
‘What are you trusting in to help you? <5> I tell you, if you are trusting in power and great battle plans, that is useless. Those are nothing but empty words. Now I ask you, who do you trust so much that you are willing to rebel against me? <6> Are you depending on Egypt to help you? Egypt is like a broken walking stick. If you lean on it for support, it will only stab you and hurt you. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, cannot be trusted by anyone who depends on him for help.
<7> ‘But maybe you will say, “We trust the Lord our God to help us.” But I know that Hezekiah destroyed the altars[347] and high places[348] where people worshiped the Lord. Hezekiah told the people of Judah and Jerusalem, “You must worship only at this one altar here in Jerusalem.”
<8> ‘If you still want to fight, my master, the king of Assyria, will make this agreement with you. I promise that I will give you 2000 horses if you can find enough men to ride them into battle. <9> But even then, you couldn’t beat even one of my master’s lowest ranking officers. So why do you still depend on Egypt’s chariots[349] and horse soldiers?
<10> ‘Now, do you think I came to this country to destroy it without the Lord’s help. No, the Lord said to me, “Go up against this country and destroy it!’”
<11> Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the commander, “Please, speak to us in Aramaic. We understand that language. Don’t speak to us in the language of Judah. If you use our language, the people on the city walls will understand you.”
<12> But the commander said, “My master did not send me to speak only to you and your master. I was also sent to speak to those people sitting there on the wall. They will not have enough food or water either; they, too, will eat their own waste and drink their own urine like you![350]”
<13> Then the commander shouted loudly in Hebrew,[351] <14> “Hear this message from the great king, the king of Assyria:
‘Don’t let Hezekiah fool you. He cannot save you from my power. <15> Don’t believe Hezekiah when he says, “Trust in the Lord! The Lord will save us. He will not let the king of Assyria defeat the city.”
<16> ‘Don’t listen to Hezekiah. Listen to the king of Assyria. The king of Assyria says, “Do this favor for me; come out to me, and then everyone will be free to have grapes from their own vines, figs from their own trees, and water from their own well. <17> You can do this until I come and take you away to a land like your own. In that new land, you will have good grain, new wine, bread, and vineyards.[352]”
<18> ‘Don’t let Hezekiah change your mind when he says, “The Lord will save us.” Did any of the gods of other nations save their land from the king of Assyria? <19> Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad[353]? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim[354]? Did they save Samaria[355] from my power? <20> Did any of the gods in the other countries save their land from me? No. So why do you think the Lord will save Jerusalem from me?’”
<21> But the people were silent. They did not say a word to the commander because King Hezekiah had given them a command. He said, “Don’t say anything to him.”
<22> Then the palace manager (Eliakim son of Hilkiah), the royal secretary (Shebna), and the record keeper (Joah son of Asaph) went to Hezekiah. Their clothes were torn to show they were upset. They told Hezekiah everything the Assyrian commander had said.
37 <1> When King Hezekiah listened to their message, he tore his clothes to show he was upset. Then he put on the special clothes of sadness and went to the Lord’s Temple.[356]
<2> Hezekiah sent Eliakim, the palace manager, Shebna, the royal secretary, and the elders of the priests to the prophet, Isaiah son of Amoz. They wore the special clothes that showed they were sad and upset. <3> They said to Isaiah, “King Hezekiah has commanded that today will be a special day for sorrow and sadness. It will be a very sad day—as sad as when a baby should be born, but there is not enough strength for the birth. <4> The commander’s master, the king of Assyria, has sent him to say bad things about the living God. Maybe the Lord your God will hear it and prove the enemy is wrong. So pray for those who are still left alive.”
<5> When King Hezekiah’s officers came to Isaiah, <6> he said to them, “Give this message to your master, Hezekiah: The Lord says, ‘Don’t be afraid of what you heard from the commanders! Don’t believe what those “boys” from the king of Assyria said to make fun of me. <7> Look, I will send a spirit against the king of Assyria. He will get a report that will make him go back to his own country. And I will cut him down with a sword in his own country.’”
<8> The commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish. He found him at Libnah, fighting against that city. <9> Then the king of Assyria got a report that said, “King Tirhakah[357] of Ethiopia[358] is coming to fight you.”
So the king of Assyria sent messengers to Hezekiah again. <10> He told them, “Tell King Hezekiah of Judah these things:
‘Don’t be fooled by the god you trust when he says, “Jerusalem will not be defeated by the king of Assyria.” <11> You have heard what the kings of Assyria did to all the other countries. We destroyed them completely. Will you be saved? No! <12> Did the gods of those people save them? No, my ancestors[359] destroyed them all. They destroyed Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden[360] living in Tel Assar. <13> Where is the king of Hamath? The king of Arpad? The king of the city of Sepharvaim? The kings of Hena and Ivvah?’”
<14> Hezekiah received the letters from the messengers and read them. Then he went up to the Lord’s Temple[361] and laid the letters out in front of the Lord. <15> He prayed to the Lord and said: <16> “Lord All-Powerful, God of Israel, you sit as King on the Cherub angels.[362] You alone are the God who rules all the kingdoms on earth. You are the creator of heaven and earth. <17> Lord, please listen to me. Lord, open your eyes and look at this message. Hear the words that Sennacherib sent to insult the living God! <18> It is true, Lord. The kings of Assyria did destroy all those nations. <19> They did throw the gods of those nations into the fire, but they were not real gods. They were only wood and stone—statues that people made. That is why the kings of Assyria could destroy them. <20> But you are the Lord our God, so please save us from the king of Assyria. Then all the other nations will know that you are the Lord, and you are the only God.”
<21> Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent this message to Hezekiah. Isaiah said, “The Lord, the God of Israel, says this, ‘You prayed to me about the message that came from King Sennacherib of Assyria. I have heard you.[363]’
<22> “So this is the Lord’s message about Sennacherib:
‘Virgin Daughter Zion[364] does not think you are important.
She laughs at you.
She shakes her head at you
and laughs behind your back.
<23> But who was it that you insulted and made fun of?
Who was it that you spoke against?
You were speaking against the Holy One of Israel.
You acted like you were great and that he was nothing.
<24> You sent your officers to insult the Lord.
You said, “I came with my many chariots[365]
to the high mountains deep inside Lebanon.
I cut down all the tallest trees
and the best fir trees of Lebanon.
I have been to the highest mountain,
up to its lush forest.
<25> I dug wells, and drank water
[from new places].
I dried up the rivers of Egypt
and walked on that country.”
<26> ‘That is what you said.
But haven’t you heard what God said?
I planned it long ago,
from ancient times I planned it.
And now, I have made it happen.
I let you tear down the strong cities
and change them into piles of rocks.
<27> The people in the cities had no power.
They were scared and confused.
They were about to be cut down
like grass and plants in the field.
They were like grass growing on the housetops,
dying before it grows tall.
<28> I know all about your battles;
I know when you rested,
when you went out to war,
and when you came home.
I also know when you got upset at me.
<29> Yes, you were upset at me.
I heard your proud insults.
So I will put my hook in your nose
and my bit in your mouth.
Then I will turn you around
and lead you back the way you came.’”
<30> Then the Lord said, “I will give you a sign to show you that these words are true. You will not be able to plant seeds this year, so next year you will eat grain that grew wild from the previous year’s crop. But in the third year, you will eat grain from seeds that you planted. You will harvest your crops and you will have plenty to eat. You will plant vineyards[366] and eat grapes from them.
<31> “The people from the family of Judah who have escaped and are left alive will be like plants that send their roots deep into the ground and produce fruit above the ground. <32> That is because a few people will come out of Jerusalem alive. There will be survivors coming from Mount Zion.[367]” The strong love[368] of the Lord All-Powerful will do this.
<33> So the Lord says this about the king of Assyria:
“He will not come into this city.
He will not shoot an arrow at this city.
He will not bring his shields up against this city.
He will not build up a hill of dirt
to attack the walls of this city.
<34> He will go back the way he came.
He will not come into this city.
The Lord says this!
<35> I will protect this city and save it.
I will do this for myself and for my servant David.”
<36> That night, the angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up in the morning, they saw all the dead bodies. <37> So King Sennacherib of Assyria went back to Nineveh and stayed there.
<38> One day Sennacherib was in the temple of his god, Nisroch, worshiping him. His sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with a sword and ran away to Ararat.[369] So Sennacherib’s son Esarhaddon became the new king of Assyria.
38 <1> At that time Hezekiah became sick and almost died. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to see him and told him, “The Lord told me to tell you this: ‘You will die soon. So you should tell your family what they should do when you die. You will not get well.’”
<2> Hezekiah turned toward the wall that faced the Temple and began praying to the Lord. <3> “Lord, remember that I have faithfully served you with all my heart. I have done what you say is good.” Then Hezekiah cried very hard.
<4> Then Isaiah received this message from the Lord: <5> “Go to Hezekiah and tell him that the Lord, the God of your ancestor[370] David says: ‘I heard your prayer, and I saw your tears. I will add 15 years to your life. <6> I will save you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will protect this city.’”
<21>[371] Then Isaiah told Hezekiah, “Crush figs together and put them on your sore, then you will get well.”
<22>[372] Hezekiah asked Isaiah, “What is the sign that proves I will get well and go to the Lord’s Temple[373]?”
<7> This is the sign from the Lord to show you that he will do what he says: <8> “Look, I am causing the shadow that is on the steps of Ahaz[374] to move back ten steps. The sun’s shadow will go back up the ten steps that it has already been on.”
<9> This is the letter from Hezekiah when he became well:
<10> I thought I would live a full life.
But now, in the middle of my life,
the time has come for me to die.
<11> So I said, “I will not see the Lord Yah[375]
in the land of the living again.
I will not see the people living on earth.
<12> My home, my shepherd’s tent,
is being pulled down and taken from me.
I am finished like the cloth someone rolls up and cuts from the loom.[376]
You finished my life in such a short time.
<13> All night I cried as loud as a lion,
but my hopes were crushed like a lion eating bones.
You finished my life in such a short time.
<14> I cried like a bird
and moaned like a dove.
My eyes became tired,
but I continued looking to the heavens.
My Master, I am so depressed.
Promise to help me.”
<15> What can I say?
My Master told me what would happen,
and he will make it happen.
I have had these troubles in my soul,
so now I will be humble all my life.
<16> My Master, use this hard time to make my spirit live again.
Help my spirit become strong and healthy.
Help me become well!
Help me live again!
<17> Look, my troubles are gone!
I now have peace.
You love me very much.
You did not let me rot in the grave.
You took my sins
and threw them away.
<18> The dead cannot praise you.
People in Sheol[377] cannot sing praises to you.
Those who have died and gone below are not trusting in your faithfulness.
<19> People who are alive, people like me,
are the ones who will praise you—
fathers telling their children about how faithful you are.
<20> So I say, “The Lord saved me.
So we will sing and play songs in the Lord’s Temple all our lives.”
39 <1> At that time Merodach Baladan son of Baladan was king of Babylon. He sent some men with letters and a gift to Hezekiah when he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. <2> This made Hezekiah very happy, so he showed them all the valuable things in his storehouses. He showed them the silver, the gold, the spices, and the expensive perfumes. He showed them the building where he stored the weapons. He showed them everything in his treasuries and everything in his house and throughout his kingdom.
<3> Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, “What did these men say? Where did they come from?”
Hezekiah said, “These men came from a faraway country to see me, from Babylon.”
<4> So Isaiah asked him, “What did they see in your house?”
Hezekiah said, “They saw everything in my palace. I showed them all my wealth.”
<5> Then Isaiah said this to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord All-Powerful. <6> ‘The time is coming when everything in your house and everything your ancestors[378] have saved until today will be carried away to Babylon. Nothing will be left!’ The Lord All-Powerful said this. <7> The Babylonians will take your own sons, and your sons will become officers[379] in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
<8> Then Hezekiah told Isaiah, “This message from the Lord is good.” (Hezekiah said this because he thought, “There will be real peace and security during my lifetime.”)
“Comfort, comfort my people.
<2> Speak kindly to Jerusalem.
Tell Jerusalem,
‘Your time of service is finished.
You have paid the price for your sins.’
Lord, you punished Jerusalemtwice for every sin she committed.”
<3> Listen, there is someone shouting:
“Prepare a way in the desert for the Lord.
Smooth out the road in the desert for our God.
<4> Fill every valley.
Make every mountain and hill flat.
Make the crooked roads straight.
Make the rough ground smooth.
<5> Then the Glory of the Lord[380]
will be revealed.
And together, all people
will see the his Glory.
Yes, this is what the Lord himself said!”
<6> A voice said, “Speak!”
So the man said, “What should I say?”
The voice said, “People are like grass.
Their goodness is like a wildflower.
<7> A powerful wind from the Lord
blows on the grass and it dies and the wildflower falls.”
“Yes, all people are like grass.
<8> Grass dies and wildflowers fall,
but the word of our God continues forever.”
<9> Zion,[381] you have good news to tell.
Go up on a high mountain and shout the good news.
Jerusalem, you have good news to tell.
Don’t be afraid; speak loudly.
Tell this news to all of the cities of Judah:
“Look, here is your God!
<10> The Lord my Master is coming with power.
He will use his power to rule all the people.
He will bring rewards for his people.
He will have their payment with him.
<11> The Lord will lead his people
like a shepherd leads sheep.
With his arm he will gather
his sheep together.
He will pick up the little sheep
and hold them in his arms while their mothers walk beside him.
<12> Who measured the oceans in the palm of his hand?
Who used his hand to measure the sky?
Who used a bowl to measure all the dust of the earth?
Who used scales to measure the mountains and hills?
<13> No one told the Lord’s Spirit
what he should do.
No one told him
how to do the things he did.
<14> Did the Lord ask for anyone’s help?
Did anyone teach him to be fair?
Did anyone teach him knowledge?
Did anyone teach him to be wise?
<15> Look, all the nations in the world are like
one small drop in the bucket.
If the Lord took all the faraway nations and put them on his scales,
they would be like small pieces of dust.
<16> All the trees in Lebanon are not enough
to burn on the altar for the Lord.
And all the animals in Lebanon
are not enough to kill for a sacrifice.
<17> Compared to God,
all the nations of the world are nothing.
Compared to him,
they are worth nothing at all.
<18> Can you compare God to anything?
Can you make a picture of God?
<19> No, but some people make statues from rock or wood,
and they call them gods.
One worker makes a statue.
Then another worker covers it with gold
and makes silver chains for it.
<20> And for the base,
he chooses a special kind of wood,
a kind of wood that will not rot.
Then he finds a good wood worker,
and the worker makes a “god” that will not fall over.
<21> Surely you know the truth, don’t you?
Surely you have heard.
Surely someone told you long ago.
Surely you understand who made the earth.
<22> It is the Lord who sits above the circle of the earth,
and compared to him, people are like grasshoppers.
He rolled open the skies
like a piece of cloth.
He stretched out the skies
like a tent to sit under.
<23> He makes rulers not important.
He makes the judges of this world completely worthless.
<24> They are like plants that are planted in the ground.
But before they can send their roots into the ground,
God blows on the “plants,”
and they become dead and dry,
and the wind blows them away like straw.
<25> The Holy One says:
“Can you compare me to anyone?
No one is equal to me.”
<26> Look up to the skies.
Who created all those stars?
Who created all those ‘armies’ in the sky?
Who knows every star by name?
He is very strong and powerful, so not one of these stars is lost.
<27> People of Jacob, this is true.
Israel, you should believe this.
So why do you say,
“The Lord cannot see the way I live;
he will not find me and punish me.”[382]
<28> Surely you know the truth.
Surely you have heard.
The Lord is the God who lives forever!
He created all the faraway places on earth.
He does not get tired and weary.
You cannot learn all he knows.
<29> The Lord helps tired people be strong.
He gives power to those without it.
<30> Young men get tired and need to rest.
Even young boys stumble and fall.
<31> But those who trust the Lord will become strong again—
like eagles that grow new feathers.
They run without becoming weak.
They walk without becoming tired.
“Faraway countries, be quiet and listen to me!
Nations be brave.[383]
Come to me and speak.
We will meet together
and decide who is right.
<2> Who woke up the man who is coming from the east?
He called Justice to march with him.
He uses his sword to crush nations.
He uses his bow and conquers kings—
they run away like straw blown by the wind.
<3> He chases armies and is never hurt.
He goes places he has never been before.
<4> Who took action and made all this happen?
Who called everyone from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am the one.
I was here at the beginning, and I will be here
when all things are finished.
<5> People along the coast saw this,
and they were frightened.
Nations at the ends of the earth
shook with fear.
They have come near.
They have arrived.
<6> “Workers help each other. They encourage each other to be strong. <7> One worker cuts wood to make a statue. He encourages the man who works with gold. Another worker uses a hammer and makes the metal smooth. Then he encourages the man at the anvil.[384] This last worker says, ‘This work is good; the metal will not come off.’ Then he nails the statue to a base so that it will not fall over. And it never moves!”
<8> The Lord says,
“You, Israel, are my servant.
Jacob, I chose you.
You are the family
of my friend, Abraham.
<9> You were in a faraway country,
but I reached out to you.
I called you from that faraway place.
I said, ‘You are my servant.’
I chose you,
and I have not rejected you.
<10> Don’t worry, I am with you.
Don’t be afraid, I am your God.
I will make you strong.
I will help you.
I will support you with my right hand
that brings victory.
<11> Look, some people are angry with you,
but they will be ashamed and disgraced.
Your enemies will be lost and disappear.
<12> You will look for the people who were against you,
but you will not be able to find them.
Those who fought against you
will disappear completely.
<13> I am the Lord your God,
who holds your right hand.
And I tell you, ‘Don’t be afraid!
I will help you.’
<14> “Worthless” Jacob, people of Israel,[385]
don’t be afraid.
I really will help you.”
The Lord himself said this.
The Holy One of Israel,
the one who saves you, said this:
<15> “Look, I have made you like
a new threshing board.
That tool has many sharp teeth.
Farmers use it to crush the hulls,
so they will separate from the grain.
You will trample mountains
and crush them.
You will make the hills like those hulls.
<16> You will throw them into the air,
and the wind will blow them away and scatter them.
Then you will be happy in the Lord.
You will be very proud of the Holy One of Israel.
<17> “The poor and needy look for water,
but they cannot find any.
They are thirsty;
their tongues are very dry.
I will answer their prayers.
I will not leave them and let them die.
<18> I will make rivers flow on dry hills.
I will make springs of water flow
through the valleys.
I will change the desert into a lake
filled with water.
There will be springs of water
in that dry land.
<19> I will make trees grow in the desert.
There will be cedar, acacias,
olive trees, cypress, fir trees, and pines.
<20> I will do this so that people will see it
and know who did it.
They will notice what happened, and they will see that
the Lord’s hand made it happen.
They will understand that
the Holy One of Israel created it.”
<21> The Lord, the king of Jacob, says, “Come, present your arguments. Show me your proof. <22> Let your idols come in and tell us what will happen. Idols, tell us what happened in the beginning. We will listen closely so that we can make a decision. Tell us what will happen in the future. <23> What signs did you give in the past to prove that you really are gods. Do something! Do anything, good or bad, so we can see that you are alive. Then we might fear and respect you.
<24> “Look, you false gods are worthless. You cannot do anything. Only some horrible fool[386] would want to worship you.”
<25> “I woke up someone in the north.[387]
He is coming from the east where the sun rises.
He worships my name.
He tramples kings the way a potter walks on wet clay.
<26> “Who told us about this before it happened,
so we could say he was right?
[Did one of your idols tell us these things?]
No, none of them told us anything.
They didn’t say a word,
and they cannot hear anything you say.
<27> I, the Lord, was the first one to tell
Zion[388] about these things.
I sent a messenger to Jerusalem with this message:
“Look, your people are coming back!”
<28> I looked at those false gods.
Not one of them said anything.
They didn’t offer any advice.
I asked them questions,
but they didn’t say a word.
<29> All of those gods are less than nothing.
They cannot do anything.
They are absolutely worthless.
I support him.
He is the one I have chosen,
and I am very pleased with him.
I have filled him with my Spirit,
and he will bring justice to the nations.
<2> He will not cry out or yell.
He will not shout in the streets.
<3> He will not break even a crushed reed.[389]
He will not put out even a weak flame.
He will bring true justice.
<4> He will not become weak
or be crushed until he has brought justice to the world.
And people in faraway places
will hope for his teachings.”
<5> The Lord, the true God, said these things. (He created the sky and spread it out over the earth. He formed the earth and everything it produced. He breathes life into all the people on earth. He gives a spirit to everyone who walks on the earth.)
<6> “I, the Lord, called you to do right.
I will hold your hand and protect you.
You will be the sign that shows
I have an agreement with the people.
You will be a light to shine for all people.
<7> You will open the eyes of the blind,
and they will be able to see.
Many people are in prison;
you will free them.
Many people live in darkness;
you will lead them out of that prison.
<8> “I am the Lord.
My name is Yahweh.
I will not give my glory to another.
I will not let statues take the praise that should be mine.
<9> In the past, I told you what would happen,
and it happened!
Now I am telling you something new,
and I am telling you now, before it happens.”
<10> Sing a new song to the Lord,
all you people in faraway countries,
all you people who sail on the seas,
all you animals in the oceans,
all you people in faraway places, praise the Lord!
<11> Deserts and cities, villages of Kedar,[390]
praise the Lord!
People living in Sela, sing for joy!
Sing from the top of your mountain.
<12> Give glory to the Lord.
Praise him all you people in faraway lands!
<13> The Lord will go out like a strong soldier;
he will be like a man ready to fight a war.
He will build up his excitement.
He will shout out loud,
and he will defeat his enemies.
<14> “For a long time I have said nothing.
I controlled myself and didn’t say anything.
But now I will cry out like a woman giving birth to a child.
I will breathe very hard and loud.
<15> I will destroy the hills and mountains.
I will dry up all the plants that grow there.
I will change rivers to dry land.
I will dry up pools of water.
<16> Then I will lead the blind
along a path they never knew.
I will lead them to places
they have never been to before.
I will change darkness into light for them.
I will make the rough ground smooth.
I will do these things,
and I will not abandon my people.
<17> But some of the people stopped following me.
They have statues covered with gold,
and they tell the statues,
‘You are my gods.’
They trust their false gods,
but they will be disappointed.
<18> “Deaf people, listen to me!
Blind people, look and see!
<19> In all the world, no one is more blind than my servant.[391]
No one is more deaf than my messenger.
No one is more blind than my chosen people, the servant of the Lord.
<20> My servant sees what he should do,
but he does not obey me.
He can hear with his ears,
but he refuses to listen to me.”
<21> The Lord wants his servant
to do what is right.
The Lord wants him to honor
his wonderful teachings.[392]
<22> But look at the people.
Other people have defeated them
and have stolen things from them.
All the young men are afraid.
They are locked in the prisons.
People have taken their money from them,
and there is no one to save them.
Other people took their money.
And there was no one to say,
“Give it back!”
<23> If any of you listens to this message, you should listen to what was said before. <24> Who let people defeat Jacob? Who let them take what belonged to Israel? The Lord allowed them to do this. We sinned against the Lord, so he let people take away our wealth. The people did not want to live the way he wanted. They refused to listen to his teaching. <25> So the Lord poured out his anger on them and brought wars to them. It was as if there were fires all around them, but they didn’t know what was happening. It was as if they were burning, but they didn’t try to understand.
43 <1> Jacob, the Lord created you. Israel, the Lord made you, and now he says, “Don’t be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine. <2> When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. <3> That is because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior. I gave Egypt to pay for you. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to make you mine. <4> You are very important to me, so I will honor you. I love you, and I will give all people and nations so that you can live.
<5> “So don’t be afraid, because I am with you. I will gather your children and bring them to you. I will gather them from the east and from the west. <6> I will tell the north: Give my people to me. I will tell the south: Don’t keep my people in prison. Bring my sons and daughters to me from the faraway places. <7> Bring to me all the people who are mine—the people who have my name. I made them for myself. I made them, and they are mine.
<8> “Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind. Bring out the people who have ears but are deaf.[393] <9> All people and all nations should also be gathered together. Maybe one of their false gods wants to tell about what happened in the beginning. They should bring their witnesses. The witnesses should speak the truth. This will show they are right.”
<10> The Lord says, “You people are my witnesses and the servant I chose. I chose you so that you would help people believe me. I chose you so that you would understand that ‘I Am He’—[I am the true God]. There was no God before me, and there will be no God after me. <11> I myself am the Lord, and there is no other Savior. <12> I am the one who spoke to you. I saved you. I told you those things. It was not some stranger who was with you. You are my witnesses, and I am God.” (This is what the Lord himself said.) <13> “I have always been God. When I do something, no one can change what I have done. And no one can save people from my power.”
<14> The Lord, the Holy One of Israel, saves you, and he says, “I will send armies to Babylon for you. Many people will be captured. Those Chaldeans[394] will be taken away in their own boats. (They are so proud of those boats.)[395] <15> I am the Lord your Holy One. I made Israel. I am your king.”
<16> The Lord is making roads through the sea. He is making a path for his people, even through rough waters. The Lord says, <17> “Those who fight against me with their chariots,[396] horses, and armies will be defeated. They will never rise again. They will be destroyed. They will be put out like the flame in a lamp. <18> So don’t remember what happened in the beginning. Don’t think about what happened a long time ago, <19> because I am doing something new! Now you will grow like a new plant. Surely you know this is true. I will even make a road in the desert, and rivers will flow through that dry land. <20> The wild animals will thank me. The large animals and birds will honor me when I put water in the desert and make rivers flow through that dry land. I will do this to give water to my chosen people. <21> I made them, and they will sing songs of praise to me.
<22> “Jacob, you did not pray to me. Why? Because you, Israel, became tired of me. <23> You have not brought your sheep as sacrifices[397] to me. You have not honored me. You have not given sacrifices to me. I did not force you to give gifts to me like slaves. I did not force you to burn incense[398] until you became tired. <24> So you did not use your money to buy things to honor me. But you did force me to be like your slave. You sinned until the bad things you did made me very tired.
<25> “I, I am the one who wipes away all your sins. I do this to please myself. I will not remember your sins. <26> But you should remember me. Let’s meet together and decide what is right. Tell your story and prove that you are innocent. <27> Your first father sinned, and your lawyers[399] committed crimes against me. <28> I will defile your holy rulers. I will destroy Jacob.[400] Bad things will happen to Israel.
44 <1> “Jacob, you are my servant. Israel, I chose you. Listen to me! <2> I am the Lord, and I made you. I am the one who created you. I have helped you since you were in your mother’s womb. Jacob, my servant, don’t be afraid. Jeshurun,[401] I chose you.
<3> “I will pour water for thirsty people, and streams will flow through the desert. I will pour my Spirit on your children, and I will bless[402] your family. <4> They will sprout like grass in the spring and grow like trees by streams of water.
<5> “One man will call himself, ‘I am the Lord’s.’ Another will use the name, ‘Jacob.’ Another man will sign his name as ‘The Lord’s Hand.’ And another will use the name, ‘Israel.’”
<6> The Lord is the king of Israel. The Lord All-Powerful is the one who will set Israel free. And the Lord says, “I am the only God. There are no other gods. I am the Beginning and the End. <7> There is no other God like me. If there is, that god should speak now. Let him lay out everything he has done since the time I made these ancient people. Let him show me the signs he gave long ago that prove he knew what would happen in the future.
<8> Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry. I am the one who always told you what would happen. You are my proof.[403] There is no other God; I am the only one. There is no other ‘Rock’[404]; I know I am the only one.”
<9> Some people make idols, but they are worthless. People love those statues, but they are useless. Those people are the witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They don’t know enough to be ashamed.
<10> Who made these false gods? Who covered these useless statues? <11> Workers made them, and the workers are only human. If they all would come together before me, we could discuss this. Then they would all be ashamed and afraid.
<12> One worker uses his tools to heat iron over hot coals. Then he uses his hammer to beat the metal to shape it into a statue. He uses his own powerful arms, but when he gets hungry, he loses his strength. If he does not drink water, he becomes weak.
<13> Another worker uses his string line[405] and compass[406] to draw lines on the wood to show where he should cut. Then he uses his chisels[407] and cuts a statue from the wood. He uses his calipers[408] to measure the statue. In this way the worker makes the wood look exactly like a man, and this statue of a man does nothing but sit in the house.
<14> To split the cedar tree, the worker took some oak or cypress [wedges]. To make sure he had plenty of wood, he planted some pines. But it was the rain that made them grow.
<15> When the man wanted a fire, he took some of the wood to keep him warm. He also used some of it to bake his bread. But then he used that same wood to make a statue to worship as a god! That god is only a statue that he made, but he bows down to it! <16> He burns half of the wood in the fire. He uses the fire to cook his meat, and he eats the meat until he is full. He burns the wood to keep himself warm. He says, “Good! Now I am warm, and I can see by the light of the fire.” <17> There is a little of the wood left, so he makes a statue and calls it his god. He bows down before it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “You are my god, save me!”
<18> People like that don’t know what they are doing! They don’t understand. It is as if they have mud in their eyes so they cannot see, and their minds cannot understand. <19> They don’t realize what they are doing. They aren’t smart enough to think, “I burned half of the wood in the fire. I used the hot coals to bake my bread and cook the meat I ate. And I used the wood that was left to make this terrible thing. I am worshiping a block of wood!”
<20> Someone like that is deceived. They don’t know what they are doing.[409] They cannot save themselves and they will not admit, “This statue I am holding is a lie!”
<21> “Jacob, remember these things!
Israel, remember,
you are my servant.
I made you.
You are my servant.
So Israel, don’t forget me.
<22> Your sins were like a big cloud,
but I wiped away those sins.
Your sins are gone,
like a cloud that disappeared into thin air.
I rescued and protected you,
so come back to me.”
<23> The skies are happy because the Lord did great things.
The earth is happy, even deep down under the earth.
The mountains sing with thanks to God.
All the trees in the forest are happy,
because the Lord saved Jacob.
He did great things for Israel.
<24> The Lord made you what you are.
He did this while you were still in your mother’s womb.
The Lord says,
“I, the Lord, made everything.
I put the skies there myself.
I spread the earth before me.”
<25> False prophets[410] tell lies, but the Lord shows that their lies are false. He makes fools of those who do magic. He confuses even the wise. They think they know a lot, but he makes them look foolish. <26> The Lord sends his servants to tell his messages to the people, and he makes those messages come true. He sends messengers to tell the people what they should do, and he proves that the advice is good.
The Lord says to Jerusalem,
“People will live in you again.”
He says to the cities of Judah,
“You will be rebuilt.”
He says to the cities that were destroyed,
“I will make you cities again.”
<27> The Lord tells the deep waters,
“Become dry!
I will make your streams dry too.”
<28> The Lord says to Cyrus,[411]
“You are my shepherd.
You will do what I want.
You will say to Jerusalem,
‘You will be rebuilt!’
You will tell the Temple,[412]
‘Your foundations will be put in place!’”
45 <1> This is what the Lord said about Cyrus,[413] his chosen king[414]:
“I took Cyrus by his right hand
to help him conquer nations,
to strip other kings of their power,
and to open city gates that will not be closed again.
<2> “Cyrus, I will go in front of you.
I will make the mountains flat.
I will break the city gates of bronze.
I will cut the iron bars on the gates.
<3> I will give you the wealth that is saved in darkness.
I will give you those hidden treasures
so you will know that I, the Lord, the God of Israel, am calling you by name.
<4> I do this for my servant, Jacob.
I do this for my chosen people, Israel.
Cyrus, I am calling you by name.
You don’t know me, but I know you.[415]
<5> I am the Lord, the only God.
There is no other God except me.
I put your clothes on you,[416]
but still you don’t know me.
<6> I am doing this so everyone will know
that I am the only God.
From the east to the west, people will know that I am the Lord,
and there is no other God.
<7> I made the light,
and I made darkness.
I make peace,
and I make trouble.
I am the Lord,
and I do all these things.
<8> “May the clouds in the skies above
drop goodness on the earth like rain.
May the earth open
and let salvation grow.
And may victory[417] grow with it!
I, the Lord, created him.[418]
<9> “Look at these people! They are arguing with the one who made them. Look at them argue with me. They are like pieces of clay from a broken pot. A man uses soft, wet clay to make a pot, and the clay does not ask, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ Things that are made don’t have the power to question the one who makes them. <10> A father gives life to his children, and the children cannot ask, ‘Why are you giving me life?’ The children cannot question their mother and ask, ‘Why are you giving birth to me?’”
<11> The Lord God is the Holy One of Israel. He created Israel, and he says,
“My children, you asked me to show you a sign.
You told me to show you what I have done.[419]
<12> I made the earth,
and I created the people on it.
I used my own hands
and made the skies.
And I command all the armies in the sky.[420]
<13> I gave Cyrus his power
so he would do good things,[421]
and I will make his work easy.
He will rebuild my city,
and he will set my people free without bribes or payment.”
The Lord All-Powerful said this.
<14> The Lord says, “Egypt and Ethiopia are rich,
but Israel, you will get those riches.
The tall people from Seba will be yours.
They will walk behind you
with chains around their necks.
They will bow down before you
and ask you to pray for them and say,
‘The true God really is with you,
and there is no other God.’”
<15> You are the God people cannot see.
You are the God who saves Israel.
<16> Many people make false gods,
but they will be disappointed.
All of them will go away ashamed.
<17> But Israel will be saved by the Lord.
That salvation will continue forever.
Never again will Israel be shamed.
<18> The Lord is God.
He made the skies and the earth.
He put the earth in its place.
He did not want the earth
to be empty when he made it.
He created it to be lived on.
“I am the Lord.
There is no other God.
<19> I did not speak in secret.
I have spoken freely.
I did not hide my words
in a dark place of the world.
I did not tell the people of Jacob
to look for me in empty places.
I am the Lord,
and I speak the truth.
What I say is true.
<20> “You people who escaped from other nations, gather together before me. (These people carry statues of false gods. They pray to useless gods, but they don’t know what they are doing. <21> Tell them to come to me. Let them present their case and discuss these things.)
“Who told you about this before it happened? Who told you this so long ago? I, the Lord, am the one who said these things. I am the only God. I am the good God. I am the one who saves, and there is no other! <22> So all you people in faraway places, turn to me and be saved for I am God, and there is no other.
<23> “When I make a promise, that promise is true. It will happen. And I swear by my own power, that everyone will bow before me and will take the oath[422] to obey me. <24> People will say, ‘Goodness and power come only from the Lord.’”
Everyone who is angry with the Lord will come to him and be ashamed. <25> The Lord will help the people of Israel live right[423] and praise their God.
46 <1> Bel[424] has fallen to the ground. Nebo,[425] is kneeling before me.
The Lord says, “Men put those idols on the backs of animals. They are only heavy burdens that must be carried. They do nothing but make people tired. <2> But they all bowed down and fell to the ground. They couldn’t escape; they were all carried away like prisoners.
<3> “Family of Jacob, listen to me! You who are left from the family of Israel, listen! I have carried you since you left your mother’s womb. I carried you when you were born, <4> and I will still be carrying you when you are old. Your hair will turn gray, and I will still carry you. I made you and I will carry you. I will carry you to safety.
<5> “Can you compare me to anyone? No! No one is equal to me. You cannot understand everything about me. There is nothing like me. <6> Some people are rich with gold and silver. Gold falls from their purses, and they weigh their silver on scales. They pay an artist to make a false god from wood. Then they bow down and worship that false god. <7> They put their false god on their shoulders and carry it. That false god is useless; people have to carry it! People set the statue on the ground, and it cannot move. That false god never walks away from its place. People can yell at it, but it will not answer. That false god is only a statue; it cannot save people from their troubles.
<8> “Sinners, change your heart and mind. Think about this again. Remember it and be strong. <9> Remember what happened long ago. Remember, I am God and there is no other God. There is no other like me.
<10> “In the beginning, I told you what would happen in the end. A long time ago, I told you things that have not happened yet. When I plan something, it happens. I do whatever I want to do. <11> I am calling a man from the east. He will be like an eagle. He will come from a faraway country, and he will do what I decide to do. I am telling you that I will do this, and I will do it. I made him, and I will bring him.
<12> “Listen to me, you stubborn[426] people! You are far from doing what is right. <13> But I am close to making things right. Salvation will not be delayed much longer. I will bring salvation to Zion and to my wonderful Israel.”
47 <1> “Fall down and sit in the dirt,
Virgin Daughter Babylon,[427] sit on the ground.
You have no throne,
daughter of the Chaldeans.[428]
You are not the ruler now.
People will not think that you are
a tender, delicate young lady anymore.
<2> Now you must do the work.
You must get the millstones
and grind the grain to make flour.
Remove your veil
and take off your fancy dresses.
You must leave your country.
Lift your skirts until men can see your legs
and cross the rivers.[429]
<3> Men will see your naked body
and use you for sex.
I will make you pay for the bad things you did,
and I will not let anyone help you.
<4> “My people say, ‘God saves us.
His name is the Lord All-Powerful,
the Holy One of Israel.’”
<5> “So Babylon, sit down and shut up.
Daughter of the Chaldeans,
go into the dark prison.
You will no longer be
‘The Queen of the Kingdoms.’
<6> “I was angry with my people.
They were mine, but I treated them as though they were not important.
I let you punish them,
but you showed them no mercy.
Instead of respecting older people,
you made their work harder.
<7> You said, ‘I will live forever.
I will always be the queen.’
You didn’t even notice the bad things
you did to those people.
You didn’t think about what would happen.
<8> So now, ‘nice lady’, listen to me!
You feel safe and you tell yourself,
‘I am the only important person.
No one else is important like me.
I will never be a widow.
I will always have children.’
<9> These two things will happen to you:
First, you will lose your children.
Then you will lose your husband.
And none of your magic spells
will help you.
<10> You do bad things,
but you still feel safe.[430]
You think to yourself,
‘No one sees the wrong I do.’
You think that your wisdom and knowledge will save you.
You think to yourself,
‘I am the only one.
No one is important like me.’
<11> “But disaster is coming your way.
You don’t know when it will happen, but disaster is coming.
And there is nothing you can do to stop it.
<12> You worked hard all your life
learning magic tricks and spells.
So start using that magic.
Maybe those tricks will help you.
Maybe you will be able to scare someone.
<13> You have many advisors.
Are you tired of the advice they give?
Then send out your men who read the stars.
They can tell when the month starts,
so maybe they can tell you when your troubles will come.
<14> But they cannot even save themselves.
They will burn like straw.
They will burn so fast that there will be no coals left to cook bread.
There will be no fire left to sit by.
<15> That will happen to everything
you worked so hard for.
The people you did business with
all your life will leave you.
Everyone will go their own way.
There will be no one left to save you.”
“Family of Jacob, listen to me!
You people call yourself ‘Israel,’
but you are from Judah’s family.
You use the Lord’s name
to make promises.
You talk about the God of Israel,
but you are not honest and sincere.”
<2> Yes, they call themselves citizens of the Holy City.[431]
They depend on the God of Israel.
The Lord All-Powerful is his name.
<3> “Long ago I told you
what would happen.
I told you about these things.
And then suddenly,
I made them happen.
<4> I did that because I knew
you were stubborn.
You were very stubborn,
like iron that does not bend,
as hard as bronze.
<5> So a long time ago I told you
what would happen.
I told you about those things
long before they happened.
I did this so that you could not say,
‘The gods we made did this.’
I told you so that you could not say,
‘Our idols, our statues, made this happen.’”
<6> “You heard about it,
now look at all of it.
Shouldn’t you tell others about it?
I told you about things
that are just now happening,
secrets that you didn’t know yet.
<7> This is not something
that happened a long time ago.
This is what is happening now.
You had not heard about it before today.
So you cannot say,
‘We already knew that.’
<8> But even then, you didn’t listen.
You didn’t learn anything.
You never listen to what I say.
I have known since the beginning
that you would turn against me.
You have rebelled against me
from the time you were born.
<9> “But I will be patient.
I will do this for myself.
People will praise me
for not becoming angry with you and destroying you.
You will praise me for waiting.
<10> “Look, I will make you pure,
but not in the way you make silver pure.
I will make you pure
by giving you troubles.
<11> I will do this for myself—for me!
You will not treat me
like I am not important.
I will not let some false god
take my glory and praise.
<12> “Jacob, listen to me!
Israel, I called you to be my people.
So listen to me!
I am the Beginning,
and I am the End.
<13> I made the earth with my own hands.
My right hand made the sky.
And if I call them,
they will come to stand before me.
<14> “All of you come here and listen to me.
Did any of the false gods say these things would happen? No!”
The Lord’s friend will do what he wants
to Babylon and the Chaldeans.[432]
<15> [The Lord says,]
“I told you I would call him,[433]
and I will bring him.
I will make him succeed.
<16> Come here and listen to me!
I was there when Babylon began as a nation.
And from the beginning, I spoke clearly,
so that people could know what I said.”
Now, the Lord my Master sends me and his Spirit to tell you these things. <17> The Lord, the Savior, the Holy One of Israel, says,
“I am the Lord your God.
I teach you for your own good.
I lead you in the way you should go.
<18> If you had obeyed me,
then peace would have come to you
like a full flowing river.
Good things would have come to you again and again,
like the waves of the sea.
<19> If you had obeyed me,
you would have had as many children as the grains of sand.
If you had obeyed me,
then you would not have been destroyed.
You would have continued with me.”
<20> My people, leave Babylon!
My people, run from the Chaldeans!
Tell the news with joy.
Spread the news around the world.
Tell them, “The Lord rescued his servant Jacob.”
<21> They never got thirsty as he led them through the desert
because he made water flow from a rock.
He split the rock,
and water flowed out.
<22> But the Lord also said,
“There is no peace for evil people.”
49 <1> Hear me, people by the sea.
Listen to me, you faraway nations.
The Lord called me before I was born.
The Lord called my name while I was still in my mother’s womb.
<2> The Lord uses me to speak for him.
He uses me like a sharp sword.
[But he also protects me,] hiding me in his hand.
He uses me like a sharp arrow,
but he also hides me in his arrow bag.
<3> He told me, “Israel, you are my servant.
I will do wonderful things with you.”
<4> I said, “I worked hard for nothing.
I wore myself out, but I did nothing useful.
I used all my power, but I did not really do anything.
So the Lord must decide what to do with me.
He must decide my reward.
<5> The Lord made me in my mother’s womb,
so I could be his servant.
He said I would lead Jacob and Israel
back to him.
He will honor me.
I will get my strength from my God.”
The Lord told me,
<6> “You are a very important servant to me.
The people of Israel are prisoners,
but they will be brought back to me.
The tribes of Jacob will come back to me.
But you have another job—
even more important than this one.
I will make you a light for all nations.
You will be my way to save
all the people on earth.”
<7> The Lord, the Holy Protector of Israel,
speaks to his servant.
People hate that servant.
Nations despise him.
He is now a slave to rulers, but the Lord says,
“Kings will see you, and stand to honor you.
Great leaders will bow down to you.”
This will happen for the Lord. The Holy One of Israel is the one who chose you, and he can be trusted.
<8> The Lord says,
“There will be a special time
when I show my kindness.
At that time I will answer your prayers.
There will be a special day
when I save you.
At that time I will help you.
I will protect you.
And you will be the proof that I have
an agreement with the people.
The country is destroyed now,
but you will give the land back to the people who own it.
<9> You will tell the prisoners,
‘Come out of your prison!’
You will tell those who are in darkness,
‘Come out of the dark!’
The people will eat along the road.
They will have food even on empty hills.
<10> They will not be hungry or thirsty.
The hot sun and wind will not hurt them,
because their Comforter will lead them.
He will lead them by springs of water.
<11> I will make a road for my people.
The mountains will be made flat,
and the low roads will be raised.
<12> “Look! People are coming to me
from faraway places.
They are coming to me
from the north and from the west.
They are coming to me
from Aswan in Egypt.”
<13> Heavens and earth, be happy!
Mountains, shout with joy!
The Lord comforts his people.
He is good to his poor people.
<14> But now Zion[434] says, “The Lord left me.
My Master forgot me.”
<15> But the Lord says,
“Can a woman forget her baby?
Can she forget the child who came from her body?
Even if she can forget her children,
I cannot forget you.
<16> Look, I carved your name into my hand.
I think about you all the time.[435]
<17> Your children will come back to you,
and those who destroyed you will leave.”
<18> Look up! Look all around you!
All of your children are gathering together and coming to you.
The Lord says,
“On my life, I promise you this:
Your children will be like jewels that you tie around your neck.
Your children will be like the necklace that a bride wears.
<19> You are destroyed and defeated now.
Your land is useless.
But after a short time, you will have
many people in your land.
And those who destroyed you
will be far, far away.
<20> You were sad for the children you lost, but they will tell you,
‘This place is too small!
Give us a bigger place to live!’
<21> Then you will say to yourself,
‘Who gave me all these children?
I was sad and lonely.
My children were taken away.
They were gone.
So who gave me these children?
Look, I was the only one left.
Where did all these children come from?’”
<22> The Lord my Master says,
“Look, I will wave my hand to the nations.
I will raise my flag for everyone to see.
Then they will bring your children to you.
They will carry your children
on their shoulders,
and they will hold them in their arms.
<23> Kings will be their teachers.
The daughters of kings will care for them.
The kings and their daughters
will bow down to you.
They will kiss the dirt at your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord,
and anyone who trusts in me will not be disappointed.”
<24> If a strong soldier takes a prisoner,
can you set him free?
If a powerful soldier guards someone,
can the prisoner escape?
<25> Well, the Lord says,
“The prisoners will escape.
Someone will take these prisoners away from the strong soldier.
That is because I will fight your battles,
and I will save your children.
<26> Those people hurt you,
but I will force them to eat their own bodies.
Their own blood will be the wine that makes them drunk.
Then everyone will know
that the Lord saved you.
Everyone will know that
the Powerful One of Jacob saved you.”
“People of Israel, you say that I divorced your mother, Jerusalem.
But where is the legal paper
that proves I divorced her?
My children, did I owe money to someone?
Did I sell you to pay a debt?
No, you were sold
because of the bad things you did.
Your mother was only sent away
because of the bad things you did.
<2> I came home and found no one there.
I called and called, but no one answered.
Do you think I cannot get you back?
Do you think I cannot save you?
Look, if I gave the command,
the ocean would dry up!
I can turn rivers into a desert.
The fish would die without water, and their bodies would rot.
<3> I can make the skies dark.
I can cover the skies in darkness as black as the clothes of sadness.”
<4> The Lord my Master gave me the ability to teach, so now I teach these sad people. Every morning he wakes me and teaches me like a student. <5> The Lord my Master helps me learn, and I have not turned against him. I will not stop following him. <6> I will let those people beat me. I will let them pull the hair from my beard. I will not hide my face when they say bad things to me and spit at me. <7> The Lord my Master will help me. So the bad things they say will not hurt me. I will be strong. I know I will not be disappointed.
<8> The Lord is with me. He shows I am innocent. So no one will be able to show I am guilty. If someone wants to try to prove I am wrong, that person should come to me, and we will have a trial. <9> But look, the Lord my Master helps me, so no one can prove me guilty. As for them, they will all be like worthless old clothes, eaten by moths.
<10> People who respect the Lord also listen to his servant. That servant lives completely trusting in God without knowing what will happen. He really trusts in the Lord’s name and depends on his God.
<11> The Lord says, “Look, you people want to do whatever you want. So light your own fires and torches, but you will be punished. You will fall into your fires and torches, and you will be burned. I will make that happen.”
51 <1> “Some of you people try hard to live good lives. You go to the Lord for help. Listen to me; you should look at Abraham your father. He is the rock you were cut from. <2> Abraham is your father, so look at him. Look at Sarah, she gave birth to you. Abraham was alone when I called him. Then I blessed him, and he began a great family with many descendants.”
<3> In the same way the Lord will bless Zion.[436] He will feel sorry for her and her people, and he will do something great for her. He will turn the desert into a garden. It will be like the garden of Eden. The land was empty, but it will become like the Lord’s Garden. People there will be very happy. They will sing victory songs to thank God for what he did.
<4> “My people, listen to me!
My decisions will be like lights showing people how to live.
<5> I will soon save you
and show that I am fair.
I will use my power and judge all nations.
All the faraway places are waiting for me.
They wait for my power to help them.
<6> Look up to the heavens!
Look around you at the earth below!
The skies will disappear
like clouds of smoke.
The earth will become
like worthless old clothes.
The people on earth will die,
but my salvation will continue forever.
My goodness will never end.
<7> You people who understand goodness
should listen to me.
You people who follow my teachings
should hear the things I say.
Don’t be afraid of evil people.
Don’t let their insults upset you.
<8> They will be like old clothes,
eaten by moths.
They will be like wool,
eaten by worms.
But my goodness will continue forever.
My salvation will continue forever and ever.”
<9> Wake up! Wake up!
Arm of the Lord, clothe yourself with strength.
Show your power like you did a long time ago,
like you have from ancient times.
You are the one who beat Rahab.
You defeated the Dragon.[437]
<10> You dried up the water
that was in the deep sea.
You made a road through
the deepest parts of the sea.
Your people crossed over that road
and were saved.
<11> The Lord will save his people.
They will return to Zion[438] with joy.
They will be very happy.
Their happiness will be like a crown on their heads forever.
They will be singing with joy.
All sadness will be gone far away.
<12> The Lord says,
“I am the one who comforts you.
So why should you be afraid of people?
They are only humans
who live and die like the grass.”
<13> The Lord made you.
With his power he made the earth
and spread the sky over the earth.
But you forgot him,
so you are always afraid that angry men will hurt you.
Those men planned to destroy you,
but where are they now?
<14> People in prison will soon be made free.
They will not die and rot in prison.
They will have plenty of food.
<15> “I, the Lord, am your God.
I stir up the sea and make the waves.”
(The Lord All-Powerful is his name.)
<16> “My servant, I gave you the words I want you to say, and I covered you with my hands to protect you. I did this to make a new heaven and earth and so that you would say to Israel, ‘You are my people.’”
<17> Wake up! Wake up!
Jerusalem, get up!
The Lord was very angry with you.
So you were punished.
It was like a cup of poison
you had to drink, and you drank it all.
<18> Jerusalem had many people, but none of them became leaders for her. None of the children she raised became guides to lead her. <19> Troubles came to Jerusalem in groups of two: stealing and rationing food, great hunger and fighting.
No one helped you when you were suffering. No one showed mercy to you. <20> Your people became weak. They fell on the ground and lay there. They were lying on every street corner. They were like animals caught in a net. They were punished by the Lord’s anger until they could not accept any more punishment. When God said he would give them more punishment, they became very weak.
<21> Listen to me, poor Jerusalem. You are weak like a drunk, but you are not drunk from wine. You are weak [from that “cup of poison”].
<22> Your God and Master, the Lord, will fight for his people. He says to you, “Look, I am taking this ‘cup of poison’ away from you. I am taking my anger away from you. You will not be punished by my anger anymore. <23> I will now use my anger to punish the people who hurt you. They tried to kill you. They told you, ‘Bow down before us, and we will walk on you.’ They forced you to bow down before them, and then they walked on your back like dirt. You were like a road for them to walk on.”
Zion,[439] cloth yourself with your strength.
Put on your wonderful clothes.
Holy Jerusalem, stand up.
Those filthy foreigners[440]
will not enter you again.
<2> Jerusalem, get up and shake off the dust!
Daughter Zion,[441] you were a prisoner,
but take the chains off your neck.
<3> The Lord says,
“You were not sold for money.
So I will not use money to set you free.”
<4> The Lord my Master says, “First, my people went down to Egypt and became slaves. Then, Assyria made them slaves. <5> Now look what has happened. Another nation has taken my people. That country did not pay to take my people, but they rule over them and laugh at them, and they say bad things about me all the time.”
<6> The Lord says, “This happened so that my people will learn about me. My people will know who I am. My people will know my name, and they will know that I Am He[442] is speaking to them.”
<7> It is a wonderful thing to see a messenger come over the hills with good news. It is wonderful to hear a messenger announce, “There is peace! We have been saved!” And who says to Zion, “Your God is the king!”
<8> The city guards[443] begin shouting.
They are all rejoicing together,
because every one of them sees the Lord returning to Zion.
<9> Ruins of Jerusalem, be happy again!
Rejoice because the Lord
comforted his people
and set Jerusalem free.
<10> The Lord showed his holy strength
to all the nations.
All the faraway countries saw
how God saved his people.
<11> So leave Babylon!
Leave that place!
Priests, you carry the things
that are used in worship,
so make yourselves pure.
Don’t touch anything that is not pure.
<12> You will leave Babylon,
but they will not force you to leave in a hurry.
You will not be forced to run away.
You will walk out.
The Lord will be in front of you.
The God of Israel will be behind you.[444]
<13> The Lord says, “Look, my servant will succeed in what he has to do, and he will be raised to a position of high honor. <14> It is true that many were shocked when they saw him. He was beaten so badly that he no longer looked like a man. <15> But it is also true that many nations will be amazed at him. Kings will look at him and be unable to speak. They will see what they had never been told. They will understand what they had never heard.[445]”
53 <1> Who really believed what we heard? Who saw in it the Lord’s great power?[446]
<2> He was always close to the Lord. He grew up like a young plant, like a root growing in dry ground. There was nothing special or impressive about the way he looked, nothing we could see that would cause us to like him. <3> People made fun of him, and even his friends left him. He was a man who suffered a lot of pain and sickness. We treated him like someone of no importance, like someone people will not even look at but turn away from in disgust.
<4> The fact is, it was our suffering he took on himself; he bore our pain. But we thought that God was punishing him, that God was beating him for something he did. <5> But he was being punished for what we did. He was crushed because of our guilt. He took the punishment we deserved, and this brought us peace. We were healed because of his pain. <6> We had all wandered away like sheep. We had gone our own way. And yet the Lord put all our guilt on him.
<7> He was treated badly, but he never protested. He said nothing, like a lamb being led away to be killed. He was like a sheep that makes no sound as its wool is being cut off. He never opened his mouth to defend himself. <8> He was taken away by force and judged unfairly. The people of his time did not even notice that he was killed.[447] But he was put to death[448] for the sins of his[449] people. <9> He had done nothing violent. He had never even lied to hurt anyone. But he was buried among the wicked. His tomb was with the rich.
<10> But the Lord was pleased with this humble servant who suffered such pain.[450] Even after giving himself as an offering for sin, he will see his descendants and enjoy a long life. He will succeed in doing what the Lord wanted. <11> After his suffering he will see the light,[451] and he will be satisfied with what he experienced.
The Lord says, “My servant, who always does what is right, will make his people right with me; he will take away their sins. <12> For this reason I will treat him as one of my great people. I will give him the rewards of one who wins in battle, and he will share them with his powerful ones. I will do this because he gave his life for the people. He was considered a criminal, but the truth is, he carried away the sins of many. Now he will stand before me and speak for those who have sinned.”
You have not had any children,
but you should be very happy.
The Lord says,
“The woman who is alone[452]
will have more children than the woman with a husband.”
<2> Make your tent bigger.
Open your doors wide.
Don’t stop adding to your home.
Make your tent large and strong,
<3> because you will grow very much.
Your children will take over many nations
and live in the cities that were destroyed.
<4> Don’t be afraid!
You will not be disappointed.
People will not say bad things against you.
You will not be embarrassed.
When you were young, you felt shame.
But you will forget that shame now.
You will not remember the shame
that you feel because you lost your husband.
<5> Why? Because your husband[453]
is the one who made you.
His name is the Lord All-Powerful.
The Holy One of Israel is your Protector,[454]
and he is the God of all the earth!
<6> You were like a woman
whose husband had left her.
You were very sad in your spirit,
when the Lord called you to be his.
You were like a woman who married young,
and then her husband left her when God called you to be his.
<7> God says, “I left you,
but only for a short time.
But with all my love,
I will bring you back to me again.
<8> I became angry
and turned away from you for a short time.
But I will comfort you with kindness forever.”
The Lord your Savior said this.
<9> God says, “Remember, in Noah’s time
I punished the world with the flood.
But I made a promise to Noah
that I would never again destroy the world with a flood.
In the same way I promise
I will never again be angry with you and say bad things to you.
<10> “The mountains may disappear,
and the hills may become dust,
but my faithful love will never leave you.
I will make peace with you,
and it will never end.”
The Lord who loves you said this.
<11> “You poor city!
Enemies came against you like storms,
and no one comforted you.
But I will rebuild you.
I will use a beautiful mortar
to lay the stones of your walls.
I will use sapphire stones
when I lay the foundation.
<12> The stones on top of the wall
will be made from rubies.
I will use shiny jewels for the gates.
I will use precious stones
to build the walls around you.
<13> Your children will follow God,
and he will teach them.
Your children will have real peace.
<14> You will be built on goodness.
You will be safe from cruelty and fear.
So you will have nothing to fear.
Nothing will come to hurt you.
<15> I will not send anyone to attack you.
And if any army tries to attack you, you will defeat them.
<16> “Look, I made the blacksmith.[455] He blows on the fire to make it hotter. Then he takes the hot iron and makes the kind of tool he wants to make. In the same way I made the ‘Destroyer’ to destroys things.
<17> “People will make weapons to fight against you, but their weapons will not defeat you. Some people will say things against you, but anyone who speaks against you will be proved wrong.”
The Lord says, “That is what my servants get! They get the good things[456] that come from me.
5 <1> “All you thirsty people,
come drink water!
Don’t worry if you have no money.
Come, eat and drink until you are full!
You don’t need money;
eat and drink until you are full.
The milk and wine are free.
<2> Why waste your money on something
that is not real food?
Why should you work for something
that does not really satisfy you?
Listen very closely to me,
and you will eat the good food.
You will enjoy the food
that satisfies your soul.
<3> Listen closely to what I say.
Listen to me so that your souls will live.
Come to me, and I will make an agreement
with you that will continue forever.
It will be like the agreement
that I made with David.
I promised David that I would love him
and be loyal to him forever.
And you can trust that agreement.
<4> I made David a witness of my power
for all nations.
I promised David that he would become
a ruler and a commander of many nations.”
<5> There are nations in places you don’t know,
but you will call for these nations.
They don’t know you,
but they will run to you.
This will happen because the Lord,
your God, wants it.
This will happen because the Holy One
of Israel honors you.
<6> So you should look for the Lord
before it is too late.
You should call to him now,
while he is near.
<7> Evil people should stop living evil lives.
They should stop thinking bad thoughts.
They should come to the Lord again,
and he will comfort them.
They should come to our God
because he will freely forgive them.
<8> The Lord says,
“Your thoughts are not like my thoughts.
Your ways are not like my ways.
<9> The heavens are higher than the earth.
In the same way my ways are higher than your ways,
and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.”
This is what he Lord himself said.
<10> “Rain and snow fall from the sky,
and they don’t go back to the sky until they touch the ground and make it wet.
Then the ground causes the plants
to sprout and grow, and they produce seeds for the farmer.
People use the seeds to make bread to eat.
<11> In the same way my words leave my mouth,
and they don’t come back until they make things happen.
My words make the things happen
that I want to happen.
My words succeed in doing
what I send them to do.
<12> My words will go out with happiness,
and they will bring peace.
Mountains and hills will begin dancing with happiness.
All the trees in the fields will clap their hands.
<13> Large cypress trees will grow
where there were bushes.
Myrtle trees will grow
where there were weeds.
These things will make the Lord famous.
These things will be proof
[that the Lord is powerful].
This proof will never be destroyed.”
56 <1> The Lord said these things, “Be fair to all people. Do what is right, because soon my salvation will come to you. My goodness will soon be shown to the whole world. <2> I will bless those who refuse to do wrong and who obey the law about the Sabbath[457]”
<3> Some foreigners will choose to follow the Lord. They should not say, “The Lord will not really accept me like the rest of his people.” A eunuch[458] should not say, “I am only a dry piece of wood. [I cannot have any children.]”
<4> They should not say that because the Lord says, “Some eunuchs obey the laws about the Sabbath. They choose to do what I want, and they follow my Agreement.[459] <5> So I will put a memorial stone in my Temple[460] for them. Their name will be remembered in my city! Yes, I will give those eunuchs something better than sons and daughters. I will give them a name that continues forever! They will not be cut off[461] from my people.”
<6> “Some foreigners have chosen to follow the Lord. They do this so that they can serve him and love his name and be his servants. They keep the Sabbath as a special day of worship, and they will continue to follow closely my Agreement. <7> So I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them happy in my house of prayer. The offerings and sacrifices[462] they give me will please me, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” <8> The Lord my Master said these things.
The Israelites were forced to leave their country, but the Lord will gather them together again. He says, “I will bring them back together again!”
<9> Wild animals in the forest, come and eat.
<10> The watchmen[463] are all blind.
They don’t know what they are doing.
They are like dogs that will not bark.
They lie on the ground and sleep.
Oh, they love to sleep.
<11> They are like hungry dogs.
They are never satisfied.
The shepherds don’t know
what they are doing.
[They are like their sheep]
that have all wandered away.
They are greedy.
All they want to do is satisfy themselves.
<12> They come and say,
“I will drink some wine.
I will drink some beer.
I will do the same thing tomorrow.
Only, I will drink even more.”
57 <1> All the good people are gone, and no one even noticed.
The loyal followers were gathered up,
but no one knows why.
The reason they were gathered up
is because trouble is coming.
<2> But peace will come too,
and those who trust him will get to rest in their own beds.
<3> “Come here, you children of witches.
Your father committed adultery,
and your mother was unfaithful.
<4> You are evil, lying children.
You make fun of me.
You make faces at me
and stick out your tongue.[464]
<5> All you want is to worship false gods
under every green tree.
You kill children by every stream
and sacrifice them in the rocky places.
<6> You love to worship the smooth rocks in the rivers.
You pour wine on them to worship them.
You give sacrifices[465] to them, but those rocks are all you get.
Do you think this makes me happy?
You make your bed on every hill
and high mountain.[466]
<7> You go up to those places
and offer sacrifices.
<8> You hide the things that help you remember me
behind the doors and doorposts.[467]
You were with me,
but you got up to go to them.
You spread out your bed
and gave yourself to them.[468]
You love their beds
and enjoy looking at their naked bodies.[469]
<9> You use your oils and perfumes
to look nice for Molech.[470]
You sent your messengers to faraway lands,
and this will bring you down to the place of death.[471]
<10> All of them made you tired,
but you never gave up.
You found new strength,
because you enjoyed them.
<11> You did not remember me.
You did not even notice me!
So who were you worrying about?
Who were you afraid of?
Why did you lie?
Look, I have been quiet for a long time.
Is that why you didn’t honor me?
<12> I could tell about your ‘good works’ and all the ‘religious’ things you do,
but that will not help you.
<13> When you need help,
you cry to those false gods that you have gathered around you.
Let them help you!
But I tell you,
the wind will blow them all away.
A puff of wind will blow them all away.
But the one who depends on me
will get the land [I promised].
That person will have my holy mountain.[472]”
<14> Clear the road! Clear the road!
Make the way clear for my people!
<15> God is high and lifted up.
He lives forever.
His name is holy.
He says, “I live in a high and holy place,
but I also live with people who are humble and sorry for their sins.
I will give new life to those
who are humble in spirit.
I will give new life to those
who are sorry for their sins.
<16> I will not argue with you forever.
I will not always be angry.
If I continued to be angry,
then the human spirit —the life I gave them—
would die in front of me.
<17> Israel’s evil greed made me angry,
so I punished them.
I turned away from them
because I was angry.
And they left me
and did whatever they wanted.
<18> I saw where Israel went.
So I will heal them.
I will comfort them and those who
mourn for them.
<19> I will teach them a new word: ‘Peace.’
I will give peace to those who are near
and to those who are far away.
I will heal them.”
The Lord himself said this.
<20> But evil people are like the angry ocean. They cannot be quiet and peaceful. They are angry, and like the ocean, they stir up mud. My God says, <21> “There is no peace for evil people.”
58 <1> Shout as loud as you can and don’t stop.
Shout like a trumpet!
Tell the people what they did wrong.
Tell the family of Jacob about their sins.
<2> Then they will come every day
to worship me.
They will want to learn my ways.
They will become a nation that lives right.
They will keep following
God’s good commands.
They will ask me to judge them fairly.
They will want to go to God for help.
<3> Now those people say, “We fast[473] to show honor to you. Why don’t you see us? We hurt our bodies to show honor to you. Why don’t you notice us?”
But the Lord says, “You do things to please yourselves on those special days of fasting. And you punish your servants—not your own bodies. <4> You are hungry, but not for food. You are hungry for arguing and fighting, not for bread. You are hungry to hit people with your evil hands. This is not the way to fast if you want your prayers to be heard in heaven! <5> Do you think I want to see people punish their bodies on those days of fasting? Do you think I want people to look sad and bow their heads like dead plants? Do you think I want people to wear mourning clothes and sit in ashes to show their sadness? That is what you do on your days of fasting. Do you think that is what the Lord wants?
<6> “I will tell you the kind of day I want—a day to set people free. I want a day that you take the burdens off others. I want a day when you set troubled people free. I want a day when you take the burdens from their shoulders. <7> I want you to share your food with the hungry. I want you to find the poor who don’t have homes and bring them into your own homes. When you see people who have no clothes, give them your clothes! Don’t hide from your relatives when they need help.”
<8> If you do these things, your light will begin to shine like the light of dawn. Then your wounds will heal. Your “Goodness” will walk in front of you, and the Glory of the Lord[474] will come following behind you. <9> Then you will call to the Lord, and the Lord will answer you. You will shout to the Lord, and he will say, “Here I am.”
Stop causing trouble and putting burdens on people. Stop accusing people[475] and saying hurtful things. <10> Feel sorry for hungry people and give them food. Help those who are troubled and satisfy their needs. Then your light will shine in the darkness. You will be like the bright sunshine at noon.
<11> The Lord will always lead you and satisfy your soul in dry lands. He will give strength to your bones. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water, like a spring that never goes dry.
<12> Your cities have been destroyed for many years, but you will rebuild them and their foundations will last for a long time. You will be called “Fence Fixer” and “Builder of Roads and Houses.”
<13> That will happen when you stop sinning against God’s law about the Sabbath[476] and when you stop doing things to please yourself on that special day. You should call the Sabbath a happy day. You should honor the Lord’s special day by not saying and doing things that you do every other day of the week. <14> Then you could enjoy the Lord. As the Lord himself says, “I could carry you up to the highest mountain and let you enjoy the land that I gave to your father, Jacob.”
59 <1> Look, the Lord’s power is enough to save you. He can hear you when you ask him for help. <2> It is your sins that separate you from your God. The Lord turns away from you when he sees them. <3> That is because your hands are covered with blood from the people you murdered. You tell lies and say evil things. <4> You can’t be trusted, even in court. You lie about each other and depend on false arguments to win your cases. You create pain and produce wickedness. <5> You hatch evil, like eggs from a poisonous snake. Anyone who eats the eggs will die. And if you break one of them open, a poisonous snake will come out.
Your lies are like spider webs. <6> They cannot be used for clothes, and you cannot cover yourself with them.
You use your hands to do evil and to hurt other people. <7> Your feet run toward trouble. Your rush to kill people who have done nothing wrong. You think evil thoughts. Rioting and stealing is your normal way of life.
<8> You don’t know what peace is. You don’t do what is right and fair. You are crooked, and anyone who lives like that will never know true peace.
<9> All fairness and goodness is gone.
There is only darkness around us,
so we must wait for the light.
We hope for a bright light,
but all we have is darkness.
<10> We are like people without eyes.
We walk into walls like blind people.
We stumble and fall as if it were night.
Even in the daylight, we cannot see.
At noontime, we fall like dead men.
<11> We are always complaining;
we growl like bears and moan like doves.
We are waiting for justice,
but there is none.
We are waiting to be saved,
but salvation is still far away.
<12> Why? Because we committed crimes
against our God.
Our own sins speak out against us.
We know we are guilty.
We know we sinned.
<13> We rebelled against the Lord
and lied to him.
We turned away from our God
and left him.
We planned to hurt others
and to rebel against God.
From hearts filled with lies,
we talked about it and made our plans.
<14> We pushed Justice away.
Fairness stands off in the distance.
Truth has fallen in the streets.
Goodness is not allowed in the city.
<15> Loyalty is gone,
and people who try to do good are robbed.
The Lord looked,
and saw there was no justice.
He did not like what he saw.
<16> He saw there was no one to stand up and speak for the people.
So with his own power and his own goodness to support him,
the Lord saved the people.
<17> He put on
the armor of goodness,
the helmet of salvation,
the uniform of punishment, and
the coat of strong love.[477]
<18> He will give his enemies
the punishment they deserve.
His enemies will feel his anger.
He will punish them.
People along the coast
will get the punishment they deserve.
<19> People in the west will fear and respect[478]
the Lord’s name and his Glory.[479]
The Lord will come quickly like a fast-flowing river
pushed on by a wind[480] from the Lord.
<20> Then a redeemer[481] will come to Zion.[482]
He will come to the people of Jacob who sinned but who turned back to God.
<21> The Lord says, “As for me, this is the agreement that I will make with these people. I promise my Spirit that I put on you and my words that I put in your mouth will never leave you. They will be with you and your children and your children’s children, for now and forever.”
60 <1> “Jerusalem, get up and shine![483]
Your Light is coming!
The Glory of the Lord[484] will shine on you.
<2> Darkness now covers the earth,
and the people are in darkness.
But the Lord will shine on you,
and his Glory will appear on you.
<3> Then the nations
will come to your Light.
Kings will come to your bright Light.
<4> People will say to you,
“Look around you!
See all the people gathering around you.
Those are your sons coming from far away,
and your daughters are there beside them.
<5> “At that time you will see your people,
and your faces will shine with happiness.
First, you will be afraid,
but then, you will be excited.
All the riches from across the seas
will be set before you.
The riches of the nations
will come to you.
<6> Herds of camels from Midian and Ephah
will cross your land.
Long lines of camels will come from Sheba.
They will bring gold and incense.[485]
People will sing praises to the Lord.
<7> People will collect all the sheep from Kedar
and give them to you.
They will bring you rams from Nebaioth.
You will offer those animals on my altar,[486]
and I will accept them.
I will make my wonderful Temple[487]
even more beautiful.
<8> Look at the people.
They are rushing toward you like clouds quickly crossing the sky.
They are like doves flying to their nests.
<9> The faraway lands are waiting for me.
The great cargo ships are ready to sail.
They are ready to bring
your children from faraway lands.
They will bring silver and gold with them
to honor the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel.
The Lord does wonderful things for you.
<10> Children from other lands
will rebuild your walls.
Their kings will serve you.
“When I was angry, I hurt you,
but now I want to be kind to you.
So I will comfort you.
<11> Your gates will always be open.
They will not be closed night or day.
Nations and kings will bring
their wealth to you.
<12> Any nation or kingdom that does not serve you
will be destroyed.
<13> All the great things of Lebanon[488]
will be given to you.
People will bring pine trees, fir trees,
and cypress trees to you.
These trees will be used for lumber
to make my Holy Place[489] more beautiful.
This place is like a stool in front of my throne,
and I will honor it.[490]
<14> In the past, people hurt you,
but they will bow down before you.
In the past, people hated you,
but they will bow down at your feet.
They will call you ‘The Lord’s City,’ ‘Zion[491] of the Holy One of Israel.’
<15> “People hated you.
You were left all alone with no one passing through.
But I will make you great from now on.
You will be happy forever and ever.
<16> Nations will give you what you need,
like a child drinking milk from its mother.
But you will ‘drink’ riches from kings.
Then you will know that it is I, the Lord,
who saves you.
You will know that I,
the Great God of Jacob,[492] protects you.
<17> “You now have copper,
but I will bring you gold.
You now have iron,
but I will bring you silver.
I will change your wood into copper
and your rocks into iron.
I will change your punishment into peace.
And those who punished you
will be replaced with those who are kind to you.
<18> There will never again be news of violence in your country.
People will never again attack your country
and steal from you.
You will name your walls,
‘Salvation’
and your gates,
‘Praise.’
<19> “The sun will no longer be your light
during the day.
The light from the moon will no longer
be your light at night.
The Lord will be your light forever.
Your God will be your glory.
<20> Your ‘sun’ will never go down again.
Your ‘moon’ will never be dark again.
That is because the Lord will be your light forever,
and the dark days of mourning will end.
<21> “All your people will be good.
They will get the land forever.
They are the young plant in my garden[493]
that will grow to be a wonderful tree.
I made them with my own hands.[494]
<22> The smallest family will become
a large family group.
The smallest tribe will become
a powerful nation.
When the time is right,
I, the Lord, will come quickly.
I will make these things happen.”
61 <1> The Spirit of the Lord my Master is on me. The Lord has chosen me to tell good news to the poor and to comfort those who are sad. He sent me to tell the captives and prisoners that they have been set free. <2> He sent me to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness and when our God will punish evil people. He has sent me to comfort those who are mourning. <3> He sent me to the sad people of Zion. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The Lord’s Wonderful Plant.’
<4> Then the old cities that were destroyed will be rebuilt. Those ancient ruins will be made new, as they were in the beginning.
<5> Then your enemies will come to care for your sheep, and their children will work in your fields and in your gardens. <6> You will be called, ‘The Lord’s Priests,’ ‘The Servants of our God.’ You will be proud of all the riches that have come to you from all the nations on earth.
<7> In the past, other people shamed you and said bad things to you. You were shamed much more than any other people. So in your land you will get two times more than other people. You will get the joy that continues forever. <8> That is because I am the Lord and I love justice. I hate stealing and everything that is wrong. So I will give the people what they deserve. I will make an agreement with my people forever. <9> Their descendants will be known throughout the earth, and everyone will know their children. Whoever sees them will know that the Lord has blessed them.”
<10> The Lord makes me very happy.
I am completely happy in my God.
He put the clothes of salvation on me.
They are like the nice clothes a man wears at his wedding.
He put the victory coat on me.
It is like the beautiful clothes a woman wears at her wedding.
<11> The earth causes plants to grow.
People plant seeds in the garden,
and the garden makes them grow.
In the same way, the Lord
will make goodness and praise grow throughout the nations.”
so I will continue to speak for her.
I love Jerusalem,
so I will not stop speaking.
I will speak until goodness[495] shines
like a bright light.
I will speak until salvation burns bright
like a flame.
<2> Then all nations will see your goodness.
All kings will see your honor.
Then you will have a new name
that the Lord himself will give you.
<3> The Lord will be very proud of you.
You are like a beautiful crown in his hand,
the crown of the kingdom in the palm of your God.
<4> You will never again be called
‘The People God Left.’
Your land will never again be called
‘The Land God Destroyed.’
You will be called
‘The People God Loves.’
Your land will be called
‘God’s Bride,’
because the Lord loves you,
and your land will be his.[496]
<5> When a young man loves a woman,
he marries her,
and she becomes his wife.
In the same way, your land will belong
to your children.[497]
A man is very happy with his new wife.
In the same way, your God
will be very happy with you.”
<6> Jerusalem, I put guards
on your walls.
They will not be silent.
They will keep praying day and night.
Guards, keep praying to the Lord.
Remind him of his promise.
Don’t ever stop praying.
<7> Don’t give him any rest until he rebuilds Jerusalem
and makes it a place that everyone on earth will praise.
<8> The Lord made a promise.
He used his own power as proof.
And he will use that power
to keep his promise.
The Lord said,
“I promise that I will never again give your food to your enemies.
I promise that your enemies
will never again take the wine that you make.
<9> Whoever gathers the food
will eat it and praise the Lord.
Whoever gathers the grapes
will drink the wine from them.
All this will happen in the courtyards of my Temple.”
<10> Come through the gates!
Clear the way for the people!
Prepare the road!
Move all the stones off the road!
Raise a banner as a sign for the nations!
<11> Listen, the Lord is speaking to all the faraway lands:
“Tell the people of Zion,[498]
‘Look, your Savior is coming.
He is bringing your reward to you.
He is bringing it with him.’”
<12> His people will be called “The Holy People,”
“The Saved People of the Lord.”
And you, Jerusalem, will be called “The City God Wants,”
“The City God Is With.”
63 <1> Who is this coming from Edom[499]?
Who is this coming from Bozrah[500]?
His clothes are stained bright red.
He is glorious in his clothes.
He is walking tall with his great power.
He says, “I have the power to save you,
and I speak the truth.”
<2> “Why are your clothes bright red?
They are like the clothes of someone
who walks on grapes to make wine.”
<3> He answers,
“I walked in the winepress[501] by myself.
No one helped me.
I was angry, and I walked on the grapes.
The juice[502] splashed on my clothes, so now they are dirty.
<4> I chose a time to punish people.
Now the time has come for me
to save and protect my people.
<5> I looked around, but I saw no one to help me.
I was surprised that no one supported me.
So I used my own power
to save my people.
My own anger supported me.
<6> While I was angry, I walked on people.
I punished them in anger and spilled their blood[503] on the ground.”
<7> I will remember that the Lord is kind,
and I will remember to praise the Lord.
He gave many good things to the family of Israel.
He has been very kind to us.
He showed mercy to us.
<8> The Lord said,
“These are my people.
These are my real children.”
So he saved them.
<9> The people had many troubles,
but the Lord was not against them.
He loved the people and felt sorry for them,
so he saved them.
He sent his special angel to save them.
He picked them up and carried them,
like he did long ago.
<10> But they turned against him
and made his Holy Spirit very sad.
So the Lord became their enemy
and fought against them.
<11> Then they remembered
what happened a long time ago.
They remembered Moses and those with him.
So where is the one who brought them through the sea?
Where are the shepherds who led his flock?
Where is the one who put his Spirit in Moses?
<12> He was by Moses’ side and led him with his wonderful hand.
He divided the water,
so the people could walk through the sea.
He made his name famous
by doing those great things.
<13> He led the people through the deep sea.
They walked without falling,
like a horse through the desert.
<14> The Spirit of the Lord led them,
like cattle going down to the valley.
Lord, that is how you led your people
and made your name wonderful.
<15> Lord, look down from the heavens.
See what is happening now.
Look down at us from your great and holy home in heaven.
Where is your strong love[504] for us?
Where is your compassion?
Why are you hiding your kind love from me?
<16> Look, you are our father!
Abraham does not know us.
Israel[505] does not recognize us.
Lord, you are our father!You are the one who has always saved us!
<17> Lord, why are you pushing us
away from you?
Why are you making it hard
for us to follow you?
Come back to us!
We are your servants.
Come to us and help us!
Our tribes belong to you.
<18> Your holy people lived in their land
only a short time.
Then our enemies walked on
your holy Temple.[506]
<19> Some people don’t follow you.
They don’t wear your name.
And we have been like them
for a very long time.
64 <1> If you would tear open the skies
and come down to earth, then everything would change.
Mountains would melt before you.
<2> The mountains would burst into flames
like burning bushes.
The mountains would boil
like water on the fire.
Then your enemies would learn about you.
Then all nations would shake with fear when they see you.
<3> But you did do awesome things
that we didn’t expect.
You came down,
and mountains melted before you.
<4> No one ever heard of such a thing.
No one ever listened to such a story.
No one has ever seen a God like you,
who does such wonderful things for those who trust him.
<5> You welcome people who enjoy doing good and who remember you
by living the way you want them to.
But we sinned against you,
and you became angry with us.[507]
But you always saved us!
<6> We are all dirty with sin.
Even our good works are not pure.
They are like bloodstained rags.
We are all like dead leaves.
Our sins have carried us away like wind.
<7> We don’t call to you for help.
We aren’t excited about following you.
So you turned away from us.
We are helpless before you,
because we are full of sin.
<8> But Lord, you are our father.
We are like clay,
and you are the potter.[508]
Your hands made us all.
<9> Lord, don’t continue to be angry with us!
Don’t remember our sins forever!
Please, look at us!
We are all your people.
<10> Your holy cities are empty
like the desert.
Zion[509] has become a desert.
Jerusalem is destroyed.
<11> Our ancestors[510] worshiped you
in our holy Temple.
Our Temple was so wonderful,
but now it has been burned.
All our precious possessions
have been destroyed.
<12> Will these things always keep you
from helping?
Will you continue to say nothing?
Will you punish us forever?
65 <1> The Lord says, “I helped people who had not come to me for advice. Those who found me were not looking for me.[511] I spoke to a nation that does not use my name. I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’
<2> “I stood ready to accept those who turned against me. I was waiting for them to come to me. But they have kept doing whatever they wanted to do, and that was wrong. <3> They keep doing things, right in front of me, that make me angry. They offer sacrifices[512] and burn incense[513] in their special gardens.[514] <4> They sit among the graves, waiting to get messages from the dead. They eat pig meat and their pots are full of soup made from unclean meat. <5> But they tell others, ‘Don’t come near me! Don’t touch me because I am holy!’ They are like smoke in my eyes, and their fire burns all the time.”
<6> “Look, here is a letter that lists all your sins. It is a bill that must be paid. I will not be quiet until I pay this bill, and I will pay it by punishing you. <7> I am doing this because of your sins and the sins of your ancestors.[515] They did these sins when they burned incense[516] in the mountains. They shamed me on those hills, and I punished them first.”
<8> The Lord says, “When there is new wine in the grapes, people squeeze out the wine. But they don’t completely destroy the grapes. They do this because the grapes can still be used. I will do the same thing to my servants. I will not destroy them completely. <9> I will keep some of the people of Jacob. Some of the people of Judah will get my mountains. I will choose the people who will get the land. My servants will live there. <10> Then Sharon Valley[517] will be a field for sheep. The Valley of Achor[518] will be a place for cattle to rest. All this will be for my people—for the people who come to me for help.
<11> “But you people left the Lord, so you will be punished. You forgot about my holy mountain.[519] You began to worship Luck. You held feasts for the false god, Fate.[520] <12> But I decided what would happen to you: you will be killed with a sword. You will all be killed because I called to you, and you refused to answer me. I spoke to you, and you would not listen. You did what I said is evil. You chose to do what I did not like.”
<13> So the Lord my Master said these things.
“My servants will eat,
but you evil people will be hungry.
My servants will drink,
but you evil people will be thirsty.
My servants will be happy,
but you evil people will be shamed.
<14> My servants will be happy with joy,
but you evil people will cry with sadness.[521]
Your spirits will be broken,
and you will be very sad.
<15> Your names will be like curses
to my chosen servants.”
The Lord my Master will kill you,
and then he will call his servants by a new name.
<16> The Lord says, “People now ask blessings from the earth.
But in the future, they will ask blessings from the faithful God.
People now trust in the power of the earth
when they make a promise.
But in the future, they will trust
in the faithful God.
That is because the troubles in the past
will all be forgotten.
They will be hidden from my sight.”
<17> “I am creating
a new heaven and a new earth.
The troubles of the past will be forgotten.
No one will remember them.
<18> My people will be happy and rejoice forever and ever
because of what I will make.
I will make a Jerusalem that is full of joy,
and I will make her people happy.
<19> “Then I will rejoice with Jerusalem.
I will be happy with my people.
There will never again be crying
and sadness in that city.
<20> In that city there will never be a baby who lives only a few days,
and every older person will live for a long, long time.
A person who lives 100 years
will be called young.
And people will think someone was cursed
if they don’t live to be 100 years old.
<21> “In that city whoever builds a house will live there;
whoever plants a vineyard[522] will eat the grapes from that garden.
<22> Never again will one person build a house
and another person live there.
Never again will one person plant a garden
and another eat the fruit from it.
My people will live as long as the trees.
My chosen people will get full use of whatever they make.
<23> Never again will women suffer childbirth
only to have their baby die.
Women will not fear childbirth.
I will bless all my people
and their children.
<24> I will answer them
before they call for help.
I will help them
before they finish asking.
<25> Wolves and little lambs will eat together.
Lions will eat hay like cattle.
Snakes will eat only dust.
They will not hurt or destroy each other
on my holy mountain.”
This is what the Lord said.
66 <1> This is what the Lord says,
“The skies are my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
So do you think you can build a house for me?
Can you give me a place to rest?
Of course not!
<2> I myself made all things.
They are all here because I made them,” says the Lord.
“These are the people I care for:
the poor, humble people who obey my commands.
<3> Some people kill bulls as a sacrifice,
but they also beat people.
They kill sheep as a sacrifice,[523]
but they also break the necks of dogs.
They offer up grain offerings,
but they also offer the blood of pigs.[524]
They burn incense,[525]
but they also love their worthless idols.[526]
They choose their own ways,
and they love their terrible idols.
<4> So I decided to use their own tricks.
I will punish them using what they are most afraid of.
I will do this because I called to them,
but they did not answer.
I spoke to them,
but they did not listen.
So I will do the same thing to them.
They did what I said is evil.
They chose to do what I did not like.”
<5> You who obey the Lord’s commands,
listen to what he says:
“Your brothers hated you.
They turned against you because you followed me.
Your brothers said,
‘When the Lord shows his glory,
then we will rejoice with you.’
But they will be punished.”
<6> Listen! There is a loud noise coming from the city and from the Temple.[527] It is the Lord punishing his enemies. He is giving them the punishment they deserve.
<7-8> “A woman does not give birth before she feels the pain. A woman must feel the pain of childbirth before she can see the boy she gives birth to. Who ever heard of such a thing? In the same way no one ever saw a new world begin in one day. No one has ever heard of a new nation that began in one day. But when Zion feels the pain, she will give birth to her children. <9> In the same way I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born.”
The Lord says this: “I promise that if I cause you the pain of birth, then I will not stop you from having your new nation.” Your God said this.
<10> Jerusalem and all her friends,
be happy!
All of you who were sad for her,
be happy and rejoice with her!
<11> Be happy
because you will receive mercy like milk coming from her breast.
That “milk” will satisfy you!
You will drink it and enjoy
the glory of Jerusalem.
<12> The Lord says,
“Look, I will give you peace, which will come flowing to you like a great river.
Wealth from all the nations on earth
will come flowing to you.
That wealth will come like a flood.
You will be like little babies
and drink that ‘milk.’
I will pick you up, hold you in my arms,
and bounce you on my knees.
<13> I will comfort you like a mother
comforts her child.
And you will be in Jerusalem when
I comfort you.”
<14> You will see the things that you really enjoy.
You will be free and grow like grass.
The Lord’s servants will see his power,
but his enemies will see his anger.
<15> Look, the Lord is coming with fire. His armies are coming with clouds of dust. He is angry, and he will punish his enemies with flames. <16> The Lord will judge the people. Then he will destroy many people with his sword and with fire. <17> These are the people who wash themselves and make themselves pure so that they can go into their special gardens[528] to worship their idols. They follow one another into the gardens to eat meat from pigs, rats, and other dirty things. But they will all be destroyed together.
<18> “They have evil thoughts and do evil things, so I am coming to punish them. I will gather all nations and all people. Everyone will be gathered together to see my Glory.[529] <19> I will put a mark on some of the people. I will send some of these saved people to the nations of Tarshish,[530] Libya,[531] Lud[532] (the land of archers[533]), Tubal,[534] Greece, and all the faraway lands. Those people have never heard my teachings. They have never seen my Glory. So the saved people will tell the nations about my glory. <20> And they will bring all your brothers and sis ters from those other nations to my holy mountain,[535] Jerusalem. Your brothers and sisters will ride on horses, mules, camels, and in chariots[536] and wagons. They will be like the gifts that the Israelites bring on clean plates to the Temple of the Lord. <21> I will also choose some of these people to be priests and Levites.[537]” The Lord himself said this.
<22> “I will make a new world, new heavens and a new earth, that will last forever. In the same way, your names and your children will always be with me. <23> Everyone will come to worship me on every worship day; they will come every Sabbath[538] and every first day of the month.[539]
<24> Whoever goes out of the city will see the dead bodies of those who sinned against me. The worms eating those bodies will never die, and the fires burning them will never go out. It will be horrible to anyone who sees it.”
[1] 1:1 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.
[2] 1:1 Uzziah A king of Judah who ruled with his father Amaziah from 792 to 767 b.c., and then from 767 to 740 b.c.
[3] 1:1 Jotham A king of Judah who ruled with his father Pekah from 750 to 740 b.c., and then from 740 to 732 b.c.
[4] 1:1 Ahaz A king of Judah who ruled with his father Jotham from 735 to 732 b.c., and then from 732 to 715 b.c.
[5] 1:1 Hezekiah A king of Judah who ruled about 715-686 b.c.
[6] 1:4 They … children Or, “They are destructive children of evil parents.”
[7] 1:5 Your whole … aching Or, “Every head and heart is already sick and aching.”
[8] 1:7 It looks … destroyed it Or, “The destruction is like that when the foreigners were destroyed.” This might refer to civil war in Israel or to some time when God destroyed foreign nations, such as Sodom and Gomorrah.
[9] 1:8 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[10] 1:8 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[11] 1:9 Sodom A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Gomorrah, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[12] 1:9 Gomorrah A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Sodom, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[13] 1:10 officers of Sodom … Gomorrah Here, this refers to leaders and people from Judah.
[14] 1:11 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[15] 1:13 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[16] 1:13 New Moon The first day of the month for Israelites or Jews, which they celebrated as a special day of rest and worship. The people met together and shared in the fellowship offerings like those described in Lev. 7:16-21.
[17] 1:13 Sabbath Saturday, the seventh day of the week and a special day for Israelites or Jews. By God’s command it was set aside as a time for the people to rest and honor God.
[18] 1:27 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[19] 1:29 special gardens Gardens where people worshiped false gods.
[20] 2:2 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[21] 2:3 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[22] 2:3 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[23] 2:6 East This usually refers to the area around Babylon.
[24] 2:6 Philistines The people who lived in an area along the coast of Palestine. They occupied the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered it and were their strongest enemy.
[25] 2:7 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[26] 2:8 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[27] 2:9 They … up Or, “The people have become very low. Surely you will not forgive them.”
[28] 2:13 Lebanon A country north of Israel, famous for its great cedar and pine trees.
[29] 2:13 Bashan The northern part of Israel east of the Jordan River.
[30] 2:16 ships from Tarshish This is probably a special type of cargo ship.
[31] 3:2 judge One of the civic leaders who judged, led, and protected the people of Israel before their first king was appointed.
[32] 3:2 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by “the prophets,” who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.
[33] 3:2 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.
[34] 3:6 coat Or, “robe.” This showed that a person was a leader of the people.
[35] 3:14 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.
[36] 3:14 vineyard A garden for growing grapes. Here, this probably means Judah.
[37] 3:16 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[38] 3:20 charms Things people wore on bracelets and necklaces. People thought these things would protect them from evil or danger.
[39] 3:21 signet ring A type of seal that was worn on the finger. See “seal.”
[40] 3:23 linen Thread or cloth made from the fibers of the flax plant.
[41] 3:23 turban A head covering made by wrapping a long piece of cloth around the top part of the head or around a cap worn on the head.
[42] 3:24 they will have no hair This shows that they will become slaves.
[43] 4:2 the Lord’s plant This might refer to the country of Judah or to the future king or Messiah. See Isa. 5:7.
[44] 4:3 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God’s people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.
[45] 4:4 wash away the filth This is like a special ceremony for washing away the blood after a menstrual period. After this a man and wife could be together and show their love for each other.
[46] 4:4 daughters of Zion This can refer either to the small towns around Jerusalem or to the women living there.
[47] 4:5 cloud of smoke … fire The signs God used to show that he was with his people.
[48] 4:5 everyone Literally, “glory,” but this also means “soul” or “person.” See Ps. 16:9.
[49] 5:1 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[50] 5:3 You people … man of Judah Or, “Rulers of Jerusalem and leader of Judah ….”
[51] 5:7 man of Judah This could mean either “the king of Judah” or simply, “people of Judah.”
[52] 5:9 oath A strong declaration that one will tell the truth or keep a promise, often using the name of God or something else known to be real or important.
[53] 5:10 only a little wine Literally, “one bath,” a measure that equals about 6 gallons (22 l).
[54] 5:10 only a little grain Literally, “A homer of seed will grow only an ephah of grain.” A homer equals about 6 bushels (220 l). An ephah equals about 2/3 bushel (22 l).
[55] 5:18 ropes Literally, “useless ropes.” The Hebrew words for useless ropes are like the words meaning “useless things—idols.”
[56] 5:24 teachings This can also mean “laws.” Sometimes this means the laws God gave Moses to teach to the people of Israel.
[57] 5:28 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[58] 6:1 Uzziah A king of Judah who ruled with his father Amaziah from 792 to 767 b.c., and then from 767 to 740 b.c.
[59] 6:1 year … died This was probably 740 b.c.
[60] 6:1 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[61] 6:2 Seraph angels Special angels that God used as messengers. The name might mean that they were bright like fire.
[62] 6:3 His Glory See “Glory of the Lord” in the Word List.
[63] 6:4 smoke This showed that God was in the Temple. See Ex. 40:34-35.
[64] 6:5 I am not pure … him Literally, “I am a man of unclean lips and live among people of unclean lips.”
[65] 6:6 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[66] 6:7 erased Or, “atoned” or “covered over.”
[67] 7:1 Ahaz A king of Judah who ruled with his father Jotham from 735 to 732 b.c., and then from 732 to 715 b.c.
[68] 7:1 Jotham A king of Judah who ruled with his father Pekah from 750 to 740 b.c., and then from 740 to 732 b.c.
[69] 7:1 Uzziah A king of Judah who ruled with his father Amaziah from 792 to 767 b.c., and then from 767 to 740 b.c.
[70] 7:1 Rezin A king of Aram who ruled about 740-731 b.c.
[71] 7:1 Aram A country north of Israel that included much of modern-day Syria. See Isaiah 7:1; 17:3.
[72] 7:1 Pekah son of Remaliah A king of northern Israel. He ruled about 740-731 b.c.
[73] 7:1 Rezin and Pekah … the city Or, “Rezin and Pekah went up to attack Jerusalem, but they were not able to fight.”
[74] 7:2 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[75] 7:3 Shear Jashub This is a name that means “a few people will come back.”
[76] 7:3 Upper Pool Probably the Pool of Siloam at the southern tip of the City of David, just above the older pool now called the Red Pool.
[77] 7:4 Remaliah’s son Pekah, the king of northern Israel. He ruled about 740-731 b.c.
[78] 7:7-9 If you … survive This is a wordplay that can also mean, “If you don’t believe, you should not be trusted.”
[79] 7:10 Ahaz A king of Judah who ruled with his father Jotham from 735 to 732 b.c., and then from 732 to 715 b.c.
[80] 7:11 The sign … Sheol Or, “Make your question deep.” The Hebrew word for “question” is like the word for Sheol.
[81] 7:11 The sign … skies Literally, “make your question very high.”
[82] 7:14 young woman Or, “Look at the virgin. She will become pregnant and give birth to a son.” See Gen. 16:11, 12 and Lk. 1:30-35 for similar announcements.
[83] 7:14 Immanuel This name means “God is with us.”
[84] 7:15 milk curds and honey This refers to some of the first solid foods, something like yogurt, that were fed to a baby. This is also the food that even the poor can find to eat. Also in verse 22.
[85] 7:17 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[86] 7:20 shave … head and body This showed that the people of Judah would be humiliated and treated like slaves.
[87] 8:1 scroll This Hebrew word might also mean “a clay” or “stone tablet.”
[88] 8:1 ordinary pen Literally, “stylus of a man.” This might be a pen for writing on clay.
[89] 8:1 Maher Shalal Hash Baz This means “There will soon be looting and stealing.”
[90] 8:4 Damascus A city in the country of Aram (Syria).
[91] 8:4 Samaria During Old Testament times, the capital city of Israel, the northern Israelite kingdom. In New Testament times, the name refers to the central hill country, the general area that had been occupied by the northern kingdom.
[92] 8:4 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[93] 8:6 These people Probably Judeans who wanted to join Rezin and Pekah.
[94] 8:6 Shiloah A channel that carried water from Gihon Spring to a pool at the south end of the City of David (Jerusalem). Men from David’s family were anointed to be kings there.
[95] 8:6 Rezin A king of Aram who ruled about 740-731 b.c.
[96] 8:8 But he … Immanuel Or, “Immanuel, it will spread throughout your whole country.” This might be a promise of God’s protection, or it might be a warning about Assyria’s power.
[97] 8:10 God is with us In Hebrew this is like the name Immanuel.
[98] 8:11 warned Or, “prevented.”
[99] 8:11 Those people Probably Judeans who wanted to join Rezin and Pekah.
[100] 8:13 respect Literally, “consider holy.”
[101] 8:14 safe place Or, “holy place.”
[102] 8:16 Write this agreement Or, “Take a document.” This could refer to the large scroll in verse 1 or to the promise that follows in verse 17.
[103] 8:18 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[104] 8:19 fortune-teller A person who tries to use magic to learn what will happen in the future.
[105] 8:19 wizard A person who uses the power of Satan or evil spirits to do magic.
[106] 8:20 agreement Usually, this means the agreement God made with Israel through Moses. Here, it probably means the agreement in verse 17.
[107] 9:1 Galilee … live Or, “the district of the gentiles.”
[108] 9:4 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[109] 9:4 as you … Midian See Num. 22:1ff.
[110] 9:7 strong love The Hebrew word means strong feelings like love, hate, anger, zeal, or jealousy.
[111] 9:8 Or, “The Lord sent a command to Jacob and it happened to Israel.”
[112] 9:11 Rezin A king of Aram who ruled about 740-731 b.c.
[113] 9:15 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.
[114] 9:17 hypocrite A person with wrong motives who pretends to be good.
[115] 10:5 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[116] 10:10 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[117] 10:12 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[118] 10:18 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[119] 10:21 Powerful God See Isa. 9:6.
[120] 10:24 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[121] 10:24 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[122] 10:26 Midian at Raven Rock Or, “Midian at the Rock of Oreb.” See Judges 7:25.
[123] 10:26 he raised … sea See Ex. 14:1-15:21.
[124] 10:27 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[125] 10:28 Verses 28-32 Isaiah uses word games to show how the Assyrian army would come and fight against Judah.
[126] 10:29 Geba, Ramah … Gibeah of Saul Towns north of Jerusalem.
[127] 10:30 Bath Gallim Gallim, a city south of Jerusalem. This name means “daughter of the waves,” and might refer to birds that make loud noises by the shore.
[128] 10:31 Gebim An unknown city. This name is like the Hebrew word for “pit” or “cistern,” a hole in the ground for storing water.
[129] 10:34 Lebanon A country north of Israel, famous for its great cedar and pine trees.
[130] 11:1 small tree That is, a new king will come from the family of David.
[131] 11:1 Jesse King David’s father.
[132] 11:8 cobra A very poisonous snake.
[133] 11:13 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[134] 11:14 Philistines The people who lived in an area along the coast of Palestine. They occupied the land of Canaan before the Israelites entered it and were their strongest enemy.
[135] 11:14 East This usually refers to the area around Babylon.
[136] 11:14 Edom, Moab, Ammon Three countries east of Israel. They were Israel’s enemies for many years.
[137] 11:15 the Lord … Egypt Or, “the Lord will dry up the tongue of the Sea of Egypt.”
[138] 12:2 The Lord Yah … him Literally, “Yah, Yahweh is my strength and praise. And he becomes my salvation.” This comes from the victory song of Moses in Ex. 15:2.
[139] 12:6 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[140] 13:1 message Or, “burden.”
[141] 13:2 mountain This probably means Babylon.
[142] 13:6 A time … happen This is a wordplay in Hebrew. The word meaning “stealing things in war” sounds like the word meaning “God All-Powerful.”
[143] 13:19 Sodom A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Gomorrah, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[144] 13:19 Gomorrah A city that God destroyed, together with the city of Sodom, because the people living there were so evil. See Gen. 19.
[145] 13:19 Babylonians Literally, “Chaldeans.”
[146] 13:21 Wild goats The Hebrew word means “hairy,” “goat,” or “goat-demon.”
[147] 14:1 non-Israelites Usually, this means “Those who live in a country but are not yet citizens of that country.” Here, it is the non-Israelites who decided to follow God.
[148] 14:5 scepter A special stick carried by kings to show their authority.
[149] 14:9 Sheol The place where people go when they die. Usually, this means the grave, but it can mean the place where spirits go.
[150] 14:13 Zaphon This Hebrew word means “north,” “hidden,” or “the heavenly mountain where the Canaanites believed their gods met together.”
[151] 14:23 animals Literally, “porcupines.”
[152] 14:25 yoke A pole that was put across the shoulders of men, usually slaves, or animals and used in pulling or carrying heavy loads.
[153] 14:28 message Or, “burden.” Also in 15:1.
[154] 14:28 year King Ahaz died About 727 b.c.
[155] 14:31 everyone … strong Or, “there are no stragglers in that group.”
[156] 14:32 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[157] 15:1 Moab A country east of the Dead Sea, named after one of Lot’s sons. See Gen. 19:37.
[158] 15:2 Dibon A city in the country of Moab. This name is like a Hebrew word meaning “to be very sad.”
[159] 15:2 places of worship Or, “high places,” places for worshiping God or false gods. These places were often on the hills and mountains.
[160] 15:2 Nebo A city in the country of Moab and the name of a false god.
[161] 15:2 Medeba A city in the country of Moab. This name is like a Hebrew word meaning “to be very sad.”
[162] 15:9 Dimon This is probably the city of Dibon. Dimon is like the Hebrew word meaning “blood.”
[163] 16:1 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[164] 16:5 David’s family The royal family of Judah. God promised that men from David’s family would be kings in Judah.
[165] 16:7 Kir Hareseth A city in the country of Moab.
[166] 16:8 Foreign rulers … the sea Or, “These grapes made many foreign rulers drunk. The vines spread far to the city of Jazer and into the desert. The vines have spread down to the sea.”
[167] 16:10 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[168] 16:11 Kir Heres Kir Hareseth, a city in the country of Moab. Kir Heres means “a city chosen to be destroyed.”
[169] 17:1 message Or, “burden.”
[170] 17:1 Damascus A city in the country of Aram (Syria).
[171] 17:2 Aroer A place in the country of Aram (Syria).
[172] 17:3 Ephraim The northern kingdom of Israel.
[173] 17:3 Aram A country north of Israel that included much of modern-day Syria. See Isaiah 7:1; 17:3.
[174] 17:4 Jacob That is, the nation of Israel.
[175] 17:5 Rephaim Valley A valley southwest of Jerusalem.
[176] 17:8 special gardens Gardens where people worshiped false gods.
[177] 17:8 altars These might be altars for burning incense or they might be altars for worshiping a special false god.
[178] 17:9 mountains and the forests With a minor change in the Hebrew, this could be “the Horites and Amorites.”
[179] 17:13 chaff The seed coverings and stems separated from the seeds of plants like wheat or barley. Farmers saved the seeds but let the wind blow the useless chaff away.
[180] 17:13 tumbleweed A large weed that grows in a round shape and has short roots. When a strong wind blows, the dry weed is pulled loose and blown away.
[181] 18:1 Ethiopia Or “Cush,” a country in Africa by the Red Sea.
[182] 18:2 reed boats These boats were made by tying many reeds (a type of water plant) together.
[183] 18:4 the place prepared for me Probably the Temple in Jerusalem.
[184] 18:7 Or, “At that time the people who are tall and smooth, who are feared far and wide, that powerful nation who defeats other countries and whose land is divided by rivers, those people will be brought to the Lord All-Powerful as a special gift.”
[185] 18:7 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[186] 19:1 message Or, “burden.”
[187] 19:2 Kingdoms will be against kingdoms Or, “States will be against states.” This means Egyptians will fight other Egyptians.
[188] 19:6 smell very bad In Hebrew this is like a name for the Nile River.
[189] 19:11 Zoan A city in Egypt. Also in verse 13.
[190] 19:13 Noph Or Memphis, a city in Egypt.
[191] 19:15 the heads and … stalks of plants See Isa. 9:14-15.
[192] 19:18 Hebrew Literally, “the language of Canaan.”
[193] 19:18 Destruction City This is a wordplay on the name meaning “Sun City,” which is also called On or Heliopolis.
[194] 19:19 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[195] 19:21 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[196] 19:21 promises A special kind of promise to God. See Lev. 22:18ff.
[197] 19:23 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[198] 19:23 Egypt will work with Assyria Or, “Egypt will serve Assyria.”
[199] 20:1 Sargon A king of Assyria. He was king about 721-705 b.c.
[200] 20:1 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[201] 20:1 Tarton An Assyrian military commander.
[202] 21:1 message Or, “burden.” Also in verses 11, 13.
[203] 21:1 Sea Desert Probably Babylon.
[204] 21:1 Negev The desert area in the southern part of Judah.
[205] 21:7 Or, “Whether he sees a column of teams of horsemen, columns of donkeys, or columns of camels, he must listen carefully.”
[206] 21:8 watchman “The Seer” an ancient title for a prophet. The standard Hebrew text has, “A Lion!”
[207] 21:8 watchtower A tall building where guards stood and watched to see if anyone was coming near their city.
[208] 21:9 a man … horses Or, “a column of teams of horsemen.” This might be a team of horses pulling a war chariot or mounted archers in the Assyrian army who often worked in pairs.
[209] 21:10 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.
[210] 21:11 Dumah This Hebrew word means “silence” or “destruction” but sounds like the name, “Edom.”
[211] 21:11 Seir Or, “Edom.”
[212] 21:12 Come back This can also mean “change your heart” or “repent.”
[213] 21:13 caravan A group of traders with their animals that carried products from one place to another.
[214] 21:16 Kedar An Arabian tribe that lived in the desert southeast of the land of Judah.
[215] 21:17 archer A person skilled in using a bow to shoot arrows.
[216] 22:1 message Or, “burden.”
[217] 22:1 Valley of Vision This probably means one of the valleys near Jerusalem. Also in verse 5.
[218] 22:3 but they have … bows Or, “but the archers captured them.”
[219] 22:7 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[220] 22:8 cover protecting Judah This might be the wall around Jerusalem, but see Isaiah 4:4.
[221] 22:8 Forest Palace A part of Solomon’s palace where his weapons and wealth were stored.
[222] 22:9-11 City of David Jerusalem, especially the southeastern and oldest part of the city.
[223] 22:9-11 Lower Pool The pool at the southern tip of the City of David, just below the Upper Pool (the Pool of Siloam).
[224] 22:9-11 pool between the double walls This is probably the Upper Pool (Pool of Siloam).
[225] 22:9-11 Old Pool Probably the pool at Gihon Spring on the eastern slopes of the city.
[226] 22:17-18 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[227] 22:21 scepter A special stick carried by kings to show their authority.
[228] 22:21 people of Jerusalem and Judah’s family Or, “The king sitting on the throne in Jerusalem, the royal family of Judah.”
[229] 23:1 message Or, “burden.”
[230] 23:1 Cyprus Literally, “the land of Kittim.” This could be either Cyprus or Crete.
[231] 23:1 Ships from Tarshish This is probably a special type of cargo ship. Also in verse 14.
[232] 23:2 merchant A person who earns a living by buying and selling things.
[233] 23:4 Fort of the Sea Another name for the city of Tyre.
[234] 23:6 Tarshish A city far away from Israel, probably in Spain, famous for its large ships that sailed the Mediterranean Sea.
[235] 23:7 People traveled … live here Or, “People from here traveled great distances to settle other places.”
[236] 23:11 Canaan The land where the Canaanites lived and which the Israelites fought for and in time largely controlled. Generally the same area that was later called Palestine, it included what are now Israel and Lebanon.
[237] 23:11 Or, “He raised his arm over the sea and shook nations. He gave a command about Canaan to destroy its fortresses.”
[238] 23:12 Daughter Sidon Another name for the city of Sidon.
[239] 23:12 Cyprus Literally, “Kittim.” This could also mean “Crete.”
[240] 23:13 Chaldeans An important tribe in Babylon. Sometimes this name means simply “people from Babylonia.” King Nebuchadnezzar was from this tribe, as were other kings of Babylon. Well educated people, they studied science, history, languages, and astronomy, but they also believed they could do magic and look at the stars to learn what would happen in the future.
[241] 23:13 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[242] 24:1 land Or, “earth.”
[243] 24:16 traitor A person who turns against his or her own country, friends, or family and does anything to help their enemy.
[244] 24:22 Pit … prison This is probably “Sheol,” the grave.
[245] 24:23 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[246] 24:23 His Glory See “Glory of the Lord” in the Word List.
[247] 24:23 elders (Old Testament) Older men who were city leaders and helped make decisions for the people.
[248] 25:8 But death … forever Or, “But death will be swallowed in victory.”
[249] 25:10 Moab Or, “the enemy.” This name is like a Hebrew word meaning “enemy.”
[250] 26:1 Or, “We have a strong city that provides us with salvation. It has strong walls and defenses.”
[251] 26:4 Lord Yah Or, “Yah Yahweh,” a Hebrew name for God.
[252] 26:11 strong love The Hebrew word means strong feelings like love, hate, anger, zeal, or jealousy.
[253] 26:13 we followed … masters This is a wordplay. It could also be translated, “Husbands other than you married us.” One word sounds like “Baal,” the other like a title for God.
[254] 26:15 Or, “You gathered together the nation you love, the nation that you drove away into faraway lands.”
[255] 26:21 his place Probably the Temple in Jerusalem.
[256] 27:1 Leviathan The Dragon or giant snake. Some ancient stories say the Dragon was an enemy of God.
[257] 27:1 large creature in the sea This is probably Rahab. Some ancient stories tell of Rahab fighting with God.
[258] 27:2 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[259] 27:4 a wall of thornbushes Literally, “thorns and thistles.” Farmers planted walls of thornbushes around vineyards to protect them from animals. See Isa. 5:5.
[260] 27:9 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[261] 27:9 statues Or, “idols.” See “idol” in the Word List.
[262] 27:12 He will begin … from there Literally, “He will begin threshing at the stream of the river.” This Hebrew word for stream is like the word meaning “head of grain.”
[263] 27:12 Euphrates River … River of Egypt These are the borders of the land God promised to give Israel.
[264] 27:13 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[265] 28:1 Ephraim The second son of Joseph and the name of one of the tribes of Israel. Sometimes it is used as the name for the northern kingdom of Israel, since Ephraim was most often the leading tribe.
[266] 28:2 that crown That is, Samaria.
[267] 28:10 Saw lasaw … ze’er sham This is probably a Hebrew song to teach little children how to write. It sounds like baby talk or a foreign language, but it can also be translated, “A command here, a command there. A rule here, a rule there. A lesson here, a lesson there.” Also in verse 13.
[268] 28:13 foreign language Or, “gibberish” or “baby talk.”
[269] 28:16 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[270] 28:16 very precious stone This also means a stone has been tested and shown that it has no cracks.
[271] 28:18 Sheol The place where people go when they die. Usually, this means the grave, but it can mean the place where spirits go.
[272] 28:21 Mount Perazim … Gibeon Valley See 1 Chron. 14:8-17.
[273] 28:25 spelt A kind of grain like wheat.
[274] 28:28 horses This word also means “horse soldiers.”
[275] 29:1 Ariel A name for the altar at the Temple in Jerusalem. This name means “hearth” or “fireplace” but sounds like the word meaning “Lion of God.” Also in verse 7.
[276] 29:5 chaff The seed coverings and stems separated from the seeds of plants like wheat or barley. Farmers saved the seeds but let the wind blow the useless chaff away.
[277] 29:8 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[278] 29:11 sealed A piece of clay or wax was put on the closed book to show that the book should not be opened.
[279] 29:16 potter Someone who makes pottery (jars, bowls, etc.) from clay. The Hebrew word also means “creator” or “a person who makes new things.”
[280] 29:23 honor Or, “make holy.”
[281] 30:2 Pharaoh A title for the king of Egypt.
[282] 30:4 Zoan A city in Egypt.
[283] 30:4 Hanes A city in Egypt.
[284] 30:6 message Or, “burden.”
[285] 30:6 Negev animals Or, “Creatures of the South,” a phrase that can refer to Egypt.
[286] 30:6 adders Very venomous snakes.
[287] 30:6 deadly snakes Literally, “flying snakes.”
[288] 30:7 Do-Nothing Dragon Or, “Resting Rahab,” the great sea monster. Some ancient stories tell about Rahab fighting with God.
[289] 30:8 Write … future Or, “Write this for the future as a witness forever.”
[290] 30:10 dreams Or, “visions.” Special kinds of dreams God used to speak to his prophets.
[291] 30:19 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[292] 30:22 defile To make something dirty and not able to be used in worship.
[293] 30:22 You will throw them … dirty rags This also means “you will throw away those gods like menstrual clothes. You will say, ‘Go away!’”
[294] 30:24 food This was special food that had been allowed to ferment. This made the meat of the animal tender and good.
[295] 30:29 Rock A name for God. It shows that he is like a strong place of safety.
[296] 30:31 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[297] 30:33 Topheth Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom. In this valley people killed their children to honor the false god, “Molech.”
[298] 30:33 king This is like the name of the false god, “Molech.”
[299] 31:1 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[300] 31:4 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[301] 31:5 defend Literally, “fight on” or “fight against.”
[302] 31:8 Assyria A powerful nation northeast of Israel.
[303] 31:9 fireplace … oven That is, the altar in the Temple.
[304] 32:2 king Literally, “man.”
[305] 32:6 Fools Here, this means people who don’t follow God and his wise teachings.
[306] 32:12 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[307] 33:4 locusts Insects like grasshoppers that could destroy a large crop very quickly. See Ex. 10. The law of Moses said that locusts could be eaten. See Lev. 11:21-22.
[308] 33:5 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[309] 33:7 messengers … messengers The Hebrew has two different words that can also mean “angels.”
[310] 33:8 witnesses Literally, “cities.” The Hebrew word is like the word meaning “witnesses.”
[311] 33:9 Lebanon A country north of Israel, famous for its great cedar and pine trees.
[312] 33:9 Sharon Valley The lowlands along the coast of Palestine.
[313] 33:9 Bashan The northern part of Israel east of the Jordan River.
[314] 33:9 Carmel A famous mountain (or high hill) in northern Israel that had good soil and plenty of rain. The name means “God’s vineyard.” See Isaiah 33:9; 35:2.
[315] 33:11 spirit Or, “Spirit.”
[316] 33:12 lime A white powder that is often used to make mortar or cement. It can be made by burning bones, shells, or limestone.
[317] 33:14 fire that … burns forever This might mean God, the Fire (Light) of Israel.
[318] 33:20 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[319] 33:21-23 mast The tall pole to which the sail is tied on a sailboat.
[320] 33:21-23 judge One of the civic leaders who judged, led, and protected the people of Israel before their first king was appointed.
[321] 34:4 rolled shut like a scroll This is like someone closing a book when they have finished reading it.
[322] 34:4 stars Literally, “the armies of the skies.”
[323] 34:5 Edom A country southeast of Judah. It is also known as Seir after the mountain range by that name in Edom. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. At times, they were enemies of the Israelites.
[324] 34:5 guilty, and they must die The Hebrew means the people belonged completely to God, and if he does not get them, they must die.
[325] 34:6 Bozrah A city in the southern part of Edom.
[326] 34:6 goats … rams This probably refers to the people and leaders of Edom.
[327] 34:8 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[328] 34:9 tar Or “pitch,” a thick oil that must be heated to become liquid and that is used to seal the boards with which ships are built.
[329] 34:9 sulfur A yellow chemical that looks like rock or dirt. Sulfur burns with a hot flame, and it gives off a bad odor when it burns.
[330] 34:11 Empty Desert Literally, “They will measure this city with the measuring string called ‘emptiness’ and stone weights called ‘nothingness.’” These words described the empty earth in Gen. 1:2.
[331] 34:12 freemen Important citizens of a town or country. These people came from “good families” and had never been slaves.
[332] 34:14 hyenas A kind of wild dog that often eats the meat of dead animals that other animals killed.
[333] 34:14 Wild goats The Hebrew word means “hairy,” “goat,” or “goat-demon.”
[334] 34:14 Night animals Or, “Lilith, the night demon.” This name is like the Hebrew word for night.
[335] 34:16 scroll A long roll of paper or leather used for writing on.
[336] 35:2 Lebanon A country north of Israel, famous for its great cedar and pine trees.
[337] 35:2 Carmel A famous mountain (or high hill) in northern Israel that had good soil and plenty of rain. The name means “God’s vineyard.” See Isaiah 33:9; 35:2.
[338] 35:2 Sharon Valley The lowlands along the coast of Palestine.
[339] 35:2 Glory of the Lord One of the forms God used when he appeared to people. It was like a bright, shining light. In the book of Numbers it might have been a bright light or a tall cloud.
[340] 35:7 mirages In the desert, heat rising from the ground looks like water from far away. This is a mirage.
[341] 35:8 fools Here, this means people who don’t follow God and his wise teachings.
[342] 35:10 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[343] 36:1 Hezekiah A king of Judah who ruled about 715-686 b.c.
[344] 36:1 Sennacherib A king of Assyria who ruled about 706-681 b.c.
[345] 36:2 aqueduct A ditch or pipe that carries water from one place to another. Here, this is the Shiloah, a channel that carried water from Gihon Spring to the Old Pool and the Pool of Siloam.
[346] 36:2 Upper Pool The Pool of Siloam at the southern tip of the City of David (Jerusalem), just above the older pool now called Birket al Hamrah.
[347] 36:7 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[348] 36:7 high place A place of worship usually on top of a hill, a mountain, or a man-made platform. Although high places were sometimes used for the worship of Yahweh, they are most often associated with pagan worship of false gods.
[349] 36:9 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[350] 36:12 They … like you The Assyrian army planned to surround Jerusalem and not let people bring any food or water into the city. They thought the people would become hungry enough to eat their own waste.
[351] 36:13 Hebrew Literally, “Judean,” the language of Judah and Israel.
[352] 36:17 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[353] 36:19 Hamath and Arpad Cities in the country of Aram (Syria).
[354] 36:19 Sepharvaim A city in the country of Aram (Syria).
[355] 36:19 Samaria During Old Testament times, the capital city of Israel, the northern Israelite kingdom. In New Testament times, the name refers to the central hill country, the general area that had been occupied by the northern kingdom.
[356] 37:1 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[357] 37:9 Tirhakah This is probably Taharqa, the Pharaoh of Egypt about 690-664 b.c.
[358] 37:9 Ethiopia Or “Cush,” a country in Africa by the Red Sea.
[359] 37:12 ancestors Literally, “fathers,” meaning a person’s parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.
[360] 37:12 Eden Beth Eden, an area in the country of Aram (Syria).
[361] 37:14 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[362] 37:16 Cherub angels Winged beings like angels that serve God, usually as guards around his throne or other holy places. Two statues of these beings were on the cover of the Box of the Agreement that represented God’s presence. See Ex. 25:10-22.
[363] 37:21 I have heard you This is from the ancient Greek version and 2 Kings 19:20.
[364] 37:22 Virgin Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[365] 37:24 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[366] 37:30 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[367] 37:32 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[368] 37:32 strong love The Hebrew word can mean strong feelings such as zeal, jealousy, or love.
[369] 37:38 Ararat The ancient country of Urartu, an area in eastern Turkey.
[370] 38:5 ancestors Literally, “fathers,” meaning a person’s parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.
[371] 38:21 This verse is at the end of the chapter in the printed Hebrew text.
[372] 38:22 This verse is at the end of the chapter in the printed Hebrew text.
[373] 38:22 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[374] 38:8 steps of Ahaz The steps of a special building that Hezekiah used like a clock. When the sun shone on the steps, the shadows showed what time of the day it was.
[375] 38:11 Lord Yah Or, “Yahweh,” a Hebrew name for God.
[376] 38:12 loom A machine used for making cloth.
[377] 38:18 Sheol The place where people go when they die. Usually, this means the grave, but it can mean the place where spirits go.
[378] 39:6 ancestors Literally, “fathers,” meaning a person’s parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.
[379] 39:7 officers Or, “eunuchs.” Usually, this means men whose male sex organs were removed so that they could not have children. These men often served in important positions.
[380] 40:5 Glory of the Lord One of the forms God used when he appeared to people. It was like a bright, shining light. In the book of Numbers it might have been a bright light or a tall cloud.
[381] 40:9 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[382] 40:27 The Lord … punish me Or, “My way is hidden from the Lord; God ignores my case.”
[383] 41:1 be brave Or, “be strong again,” as in Isa. 40:31.
[384] 41:7 anvil A heavy metal block. A worker puts hot metal on an anvil and beats the hot metal to change its shape.
[385] 41:14 “Worthless” Jacob, people of Israel Literally, “Worm of Jacob, men of Israel.”
[386] 41:24 fool Literally, “horrible thing.” The Hebrew word usually describes idols and other wicked things that God hates.
[387] 41:25 someone in the north This probably means Cyrus, a king of Persia. He ruled about 550-530 b.c.
[388] 41:27 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[389] 42:3 reed A plant that grows near water.
[390] 42:11 Kedar An Arabian tribe that lived in the desert southeast of the land of Judah.
[391] 42:19 my servant Here, this probably means the people of Israel.
[392] 42:21 Or, “The Lord will make his teachings very wonderful. He will do this because he is good.”
[393] 43:8 blind … deaf This probably means the Israelites who would not believe God. See Isa. 6:9-10.
[394] 43:14 Chaldeans An important tribe in Babylon. Sometimes this name means simply “people from Babylonia.” King Nebuchadnezzar was from this tribe, as were other kings of Babylon. Well educated people, they studied science, history, languages, and astronomy, but they also believed they could do magic and look at the stars to learn what would happen in the future.
[395] 43:14 I will send … boats Or, with minor changes to the Hebrew, “I will send someone against Babylon to break open the gates, and the shouts of victory from the Chaldeans will be changed to crying.”
[396] 43:17 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[397] 43:23 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[398] 43:23 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[399] 43:27 lawyers Or, “speakers,” people who argue a person’s case in court. This might refer to priests or prophets.
[400] 43:28 destroy Jacob Or, “I will make Jacob completely mine.”
[401] 44:2 Jeshurun Another name for Israel. It means “good” or “honest.”
[402] 44:3 bless This is a wordplay. This Hebrew word sounds like the word meaning, “pool.”
[403] 44:8 proof Or, “witnesses.”
[404] 44:8 prophet A person who speaks a message from God. Many of the books in the Old Testament are messages spoken or written by “the prophets,” who were some of those God chose to speak for him. God often used dreams or visions to tell or show his prophets what they should say.
[405] 44:13 string line In ancient times, this was a piece of string with wet paint on it. It was used to make straight lines on wood or stone.
[406] 44:13 compass A tool used to draw circles and copy measurements.
[407] 44:13 chisels Sharp tools used to carve wood or stone.
[408] 44:13 calipers A special measuring tool, like a compass.
[409] 44:20 They … doing Literally, “They eat ashes.”
[410] 44:25 false prophet A person who claims to speak for God but does not really speak God’s truth.
[411] 44:28 Cyrus A king of Persia who ruled about 550-530 b.c.
[412] 44:28 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[413] 45:1 Cyrus A king of Persia who ruled about 550-530 b.c.
[414] 45:1 chosen king Literally, “the anointed one.”
[415] 45:4 I know you Or, “I will give you a title.”
[416] 45:5 I put … you This also means “I made you strong.”
[417] 45:8 victory Or, “goodness.”
[418] 45:8 I … created him Or, “I created it (salvation or victory).”
[419] 45:11 My children … I have done Or possibly, “Those who are coming asked me for my children. They commanded me [to give them] those people who I made with my own hands.”
[420] 45:12 armies in the sky Sometimes this means the angels, and sometimes it means the stars.
[421] 45:13 I gave … things This might also mean “I did what was right when I woke him.”
[422] 45:23 oath A strong declaration that one will tell the truth or keep a promise, often using the name of God or something else known to be real or important.
[423] 45:25 live right Or, “find justice.”
[424] 46:1 Bel One of the names of the god Marduk, the most important god of the Babylonians.
[425] 46:1 Nebo A false god of Babylon.
[426] 46:12 stubborn Literally, “mighty of heart.”
[427] 47:1 Virgin Daughter Babylon That is, the city of Babylon.
[428] 47:1 daughter of the Chaldeans Another name for the city of Babylon. Also in verse 5.
[429] 47:2 rivers The Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Babylon was between these two rivers.
[430] 47:10 You … safe Or, “You put your trust in your evil.”
[431] 48:2 Holy City That is, Jerusalem.
[432] 48:14 Chaldeans An important tribe in Babylon. Sometimes this name means simply “people from Babylonia.” King Nebuchadnezzar was from this tribe, as were other kings of Babylon. Well educated people, they studied science, history, languages, and astronomy, but they also believed they could do magic and look at the stars to learn what would happen in the future.
[433] 48:15 him This probably means Cyrus. Cyrus was a king of Persia. He ruled about 550-530 b.c.
[434] 49:14 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[435] 49:16 I … time Or, “I see your figure before me always.” This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word “figure” also means “walls.”
[436] 51:3 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[437] 51:9 Rahab … Dragon This is Rahab the great sea monster. Some ancient stories tell about Rahab fighting with God.
[438] 51:11 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[439] 52:1 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[440] 52:1 filthy foreigners Or, “unclean men that have not been circumcised.”
[441] 52:2 Daughter Zion Another name for Jerusalem.
[442] 52:6 I Am He This is like the Hebrew name for God. It shows that God lives forever, and that he is always with his people. See Ex. 3:13-17.
[443] 52:8 guards Men who stand on the city walls and watch for messengers or trouble coming to the city. Here, this probably means the prophets.
[444] 52:12 The Lord … behind you This shows that God will protect his people. Compare Ex. 14:19, 20.
[445] 52:15 They will see … heard Or, “Those who were not told the message saw what happened. Those who did not hear understood.”
[446] 53:1 Who … power Or, “Upon whom was the arm of the Lord revealed?”
[447] 53:8 The people … killed Or, “There is no story about his descendants, because he was taken from the land of the living.”
[448] 53:8 put to death Or, “punished.”
[449] 53:8 his This is the reading in a Hebrew copy among the Dead Sea Scrolls. The traditional Hebrew text has “my.”
[450] 53:10 But the Lord … such pain Or, “The Lord decided to crush him. He decided that he must suffer.”
[451] 53:11 the light This is the reading found in Hebrew copies among the Dead Sea Scrolls and in the ancient Greek version. Light is often used as a symbol for life.
[452] 54:1 The woman … alone This Hebrew word is like the word “destroyed.” This probably means “Jerusalem, the city that is destroyed.”
[453] 54:5 husband In Hebrew this word is like the name Baal. This shows that the Lord is the true God, not the false god Baal.
[454] 54:5 Protector Or, “Redeemer,” someone who cared for and protected the family of a dead relative. Often this person bought back (redeemed) the poor relatives from slavery, making them free again.
[455] 54:16 blacksmith A person who makes weapons, tools or other things from iron.
[456] 54:17 good things Or, “victory.”
[457] 56:2 Sabbath Saturday, the seventh day of the week and a special day for Israelites or Jews. By God’s command it was set aside as a time for the people to rest and honor God.
[458] 56:3 eunuch A public official or a servant in charge of the women in a ruler’s household. Originally, a man who had been castrated so that he could not have sex.
[459] 56:4 Agreement Usually, this means the agreement God made with Israel through Moses. Here, it might mean the agreement of Isaiah 55:3.
[460] 56:5 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[461] 56:5 cut off If someone was “cut off” from Israel, it meant that he died without children or that he was forced to leave his family and the people of Israel. This meant another family would get his land, and his family name would be removed from the list of the people of Israel.
[462] 56:7 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[463] 56:10 watchman Literally, “The Seers,” an ancient title for a prophet.
[464] 57:4 make faces … tongue This probably refers to the god Bel, which is usually shown making a face and sticking out his tongue.
[465] 57:6 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[466] 57:6 every hill and high mountain The people worshiped false gods in these places. The people thought these false gods would give them good crops and more children.
[467] 57:8 doorposts The Israelites were supposed to put special things on their door frames to help them remember God. See Deut. 6:9.
[468] 57:8 gave yourself to them Or, “And made agreements with them.”
[469] 57:8 naked bodies This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word also means “memorial,” as in Isaiah 56:5.
[470] 57:9 Molech A false god. This name is like the Hebrew word meaning “king.”
[471] 57:9 this will … death Or, “You even send them down to Sheol.”
[472] 57:13 holy mountain Mount Zion, one of the mountains Jerusalem was built on.
[473] 58:3 fast To live without food for a time of prayer or mourning.
[474] 58:8 Glory of the Lord One of the forms God used when he appeared to people. It was like a bright, shining light. In the book of Numbers it might have been a bright light or a tall cloud.
[475] 58:9 accusing people Literally, “pointing of the finger.” This might be a way of cursing someone.
[476] 58:13 Sabbath Saturday, the seventh day of the week and a special day for Israelites or Jews. By God’s command it was set aside as a time for the people to rest and honor God.
[477] 59:17 strong love The Hebrew word means strong feelings like love, hate, anger, zeal, or jealousy.
[478] 59:19 fear and respect Or, “see.”
[479] 59:19 his Glory See “Glory of the Lord” in the Word List.
[480] 59:19 wind Or, “spirit.”
[481] 59:20 redeemer Someone who sets a person free by paying their debt.
[482] 59:20 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[483] 60:1 Jerusalem … shine Or, “Jerusalem, my light, get up!”
[484] 60:1 Glory of the Lord One of the forms God used when he appeared to people. It was like a bright, shining light. In the book of Numbers it might have been a bright light or a tall cloud.
[485] 60:6 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[486] 60:7 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also “golden altar.”
[487] 60:7 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[488] 60:13 Lebanon A country north of Israel, famous for its great cedar and pine trees.
[489] 60:13 my Holy Place This probably means the Temple in Jerusalem.
[490] 60:13 I will honor it Or, “I will give it glory.”
[491] 60:14 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[492] 60:16 Jacob Another name for Israel (see Gen. 32:24-28), ancestor of the people of Israel (also called Israelites and, later, Jews). He was the father of twelve sons from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.
[493] 60:21 young plant … garden See Isa. 4:1 and 5:7.
[494] 60:21 They … hands Or, “They are the plant I planted, which I made with my own hands, to show how wonderful I am.”
[495] 62:1 goodness Or, “victory.”
[496] 62:4 your land … his Or, “He will marry your land.” This is a wordplay. The Hebrew word also means, “He will be the lord of the land.”
[497] 62:5 your land … children Or, “Your builders will marry you.”
[498] 62:11 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[499] 63:1 Edom A country southeast of Judah. It is also known as Seir after the mountain range by that name in Edom. The Edomites are descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. At times, they were enemies of the Israelites.
[500] 63:1 Bozrah A city in the southern part of Edom.
[501] 63:3 winepress A place dug in rock used to mash grapes and collect the juice for making wine.
[502] 63:3 juice Or, “strong drink” or “blood.”
[503] 63:6 blood Or, “strong drink” or “strength.”
[504] 63:15 strong love The Hebrew word means strong feelings like love, hate, anger, zeal, or jealousy.
[505] 63:16 Israel Another name for Jacob (see Gen. 32:24-28) and for the nation God chose to accomplish his plan of blessing the world through the Messiah (see “Messiah”). The people of Israel were the descendants of Jacob’s twelve sons.
[506] 63:18 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[507] 64:5 we sinned … us Or, “But you became angry with us and we sinned.”
[508] 64:8 potter Someone who makes pottery (jars, bowls, etc.) from clay. The Hebrew word also means “creator” or “a person who makes new things.”
[509] 64:10 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.
[510] 64:11 ancestors Literally, “fathers,” meaning a person’s parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.
[511] 65:1 I helped … me Or, “I was ready to answer those who did not come to me for advice. I was ready to be found by those who did not look for me.”
[512] 65:3 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[513] 65:3 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[514] 65:3 special gardens Gardens where people worshiped false gods.
[515] 65:7 ancestors Literally, “fathers,” meaning a person’s parents, grandparents, and all the other people that person is descended from. In the New Testament it usually refers to people who lived during Old Testament times.
[516] 65:7 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[517] 65:10 Sharon Valley The lowlands along the coast of Palestine.
[518] 65:10 Valley of Achor A valley about ten miles north of Jerusalem.
[519] 65:11 my holy mountain Mount Zion, the mountain Jerusalem is built on.
[520] 65:11 Luck … Fate Two false gods. The people thought these gods controlled their futures.
[521] 65:14 My servants … sadness Literally, “My servants will rejoice with good hearts, and you will scream with painful hearts.”
[522] 65:21 vineyard A garden or farm where grapes are grown.
[523] 66:3 sacrifice To offer a gift to God as an expression of worship, thanksgiving, or payment for sin. Also, the gift that is offered. In the Old Testament it was usually a special animal that was killed and burned on an altar. The Old Testament sacrifices offered for sins were symbolic of the perfect sacrifice that God himself would provide through Jesus Christ. Jesus gave his own life as a sacrifice to pay for the sins of all people. See Hebrews 10:1-14.
[524] 66:3 dogs … pigs God did not want his people to offer dogs and pigs as sacrifices.
[525] 66:3 incense Special dried tree sap that was burned to make a sweet-smelling smoke and offered as a gift to God.
[526] 66:3 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.
[527] 66:6 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable “Holy Tent” that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7).
[528] 66:17 special gardens Gardens where people worshiped false gods.
[529] 66:18 my Glory See “Glory of the Lord” in the Word List.
[530] 66:19 Tarshish A city far away from Israel, probably in Spain, famous for its large ships that sailed the Mediterranean Sea.
[531] 66:19 Libya A country in North Africa, west of Egypt.
[532] 66:19 Lud This country was probably in the country that is now western Turkey.
[533] 66:19 archer A person skilled in using a bow to shoot arrows.
[534] 66:19 Tubal This country was probably in what is now eastern Turkey.
[535] 66:20 my holy mountain This is probably Mount Zion, the mountain Jerusalem is built on.
[536] 66:20 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.
[537] 66:21 Levite Any of the men from the tribe of Levi, who helped the Israelite priests in the Holy Tent (Tabernacle) and Temple. In later periods some Levites worked for the civil government.
[538] 66:23 Sabbath Saturday, the seventh day of the week and a special day for Israelites or Jews. By God’s command it was set aside as a time for the people to rest and honor God.
[539] 66:23 first day of the month Literally, “new moon.” The first day of the Hebrew month. There were special meetings on these days when the people shared fellowship offerings as part of their worship to God.