Isa.38.1

At that time, Hezekiah got sick. He was about to die. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz visited him and said, "GOD says, "Prepare your affairs and your family. This is it: You're going to die. You're not going to get well.'"

Isa.38.1

In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."

Isa.38.1

In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, "Thus says the LORD: "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live."'

Isa.38.1

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: "This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness."

Isa.38.2

Hezekiah turned away from Isaiah and, facing the wall, prayed to GOD:

Isa.38.2

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Isa.38.2

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD,

Isa.38.2

When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD,

Isa.38.3

"GOD, please, I beg you: Remember how I've lived my life. I've lived faithfully in your presence, lived out of a heart that was totally yours. You've seen how I've lived, the good that I have done." And Hezekiah wept as he prayed--painful tears.

Isa.38.3

"Remember, O LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Isa.38.3

and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Isa.38.3

"Remember, O LORD, how I have always tried to be faithful to you and do what is pleasing in your sight." Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

Isa.38.4

Then GOD told Isaiah,

Isa.38.4

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah:

Isa.38.4

And the word of the LORD came to Isaiah, saying,

Isa.38.4

Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD:

Isa.38.5

"Go and speak with Hezekiah. Give him this Message from me, GOD, the God of your ancestor David: "I've heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here's what I'll do: I'll add fifteen years to your life.

Isa.38.5

"Go and tell Hezekiah, 'This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.

Isa.38.5

"Go and tell Hezekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.

Isa.38.5

"Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, `This is what the LORD, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life,

Isa.38.6

And I'll save both you and this city from the king of Assyria. I have my hand on this city.

Isa.38.6

And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

Isa.38.6

I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city."'

Isa.38.6

and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.

Isa.38.7

And this is your confirming sign, confirming that I, GOD, will do exactly what I have promised.

Isa.38.7

"'This is the LORD's sign to you that the LORD will do what he has promised:

Isa.38.7

And this is the sign to you from the LORD, that the LORD will do this thing which He has spoken:

Isa.38.7

" `And this is the sign that the LORD will give you to prove he will do as he promised:

Isa.38.8

Watch for this: As the sun goes down and the shadow lengthens on the sundial of Ahaz, I'm going to reverse the shadow ten notches on the dial.'" And that's what happened: The declining sun's shadow reversed ten notches on the dial. [JC]

Isa.38.8

I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.'" So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.

Isa.38.8

Behold, I will bring the shadow on the sundial, which has gone down with the sun on the sundial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward." So the sun returned ten degrees on the dial by which it had gone down.

Isa.38.8

I will cause the sun's shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!'" So the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps.

Isa.38.9

This is what Hezekiah king of Judah wrote after he'd been sick and then recovered from his sickness:

Isa.38.9

A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:

Isa.38.9

This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:

Isa.38.9

When King Hezekiah was well again, he wrote this poem about his experience:

Isa.38.10

In the very prime of life I have to leave. Whatever time I have left is spent in death's waiting room.

Isa.38.10

I said, "In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?"

Isa.38.10

I said, "In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years."

Isa.38.10

I said, "In the prime of my life, must I now enter the place of the dead? Am I to be robbed of my normal years?"

Isa.38.11

No more glimpses of GOD in the land of the living, No more meetings with my neighbors, no more rubbing shoulders with friends.

Isa.38.11

I said, "I will not again see the LORD, the LORD, in the land of the living; no longer will I look on mankind, or be with those who now dwell in this world.

Isa.38.11

I said, "I shall not see Yah, The LORD in the land of the living; I shall observe man no more among the inhabitants of the world.

Isa.38.11

I said, "Never again will I see the LORD GOD while still in the land of the living. Never again will I see my friends or laugh with those who live in this world.

Isa.38.12

This body I inhabit is taken down and packed away like a camper's tent. Like a weaver, I've rolled up the carpet of my life as God cuts me free of the loom And at day's end sweeps up the scraps and pieces.

Isa.38.12

Like a shepherd's tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.

Isa.38.12

My life span is gone, Taken from me like a shepherd's tent; I have cut off my life like a weaver. He cuts me off from the loom; From day until night You make an end of me.

Isa.38.12

My life has been blown away like a shepherd's tent in a storm. It has been cut short, as when a weaver cuts cloth from a loom. Suddenly, my life was over.

Isa.38.13

I cry for help until morning. Like a lion, God pummels and pounds me, relentlessly finishing me off.

Isa.38.13

I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion he broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me.

Isa.38.13

I have considered until morning-- Like a lion, So He breaks all my bones; From day until night You make an end of me.

Isa.38.13

I waited patiently all night, but I was torn apart as though by lions. Suddenly, my life was over.

Isa.38.14

I squawk like a doomed hen, moan like a dove. My eyes ache from looking up for help: "Master, I'm in trouble! Get me out of this!"

Isa.38.14

I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!"

Isa.38.14

Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O LORD, I am oppressed; Undertake for me!

Isa.38.14

Delirious, I chattered like a swallow or a crane, and then I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew tired of looking to heaven for help. I am in trouble, Lord. Help me!"

Isa.38.15

But what's the use? God himself gave me the word. He's done it to me. I can't sleep--I'm that upset, that troubled.

Isa.38.15

But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.

Isa.38.15

"What shall I say? He has both spoken to me, And He Himself has done it. I shall walk carefully all my years In the bitterness of my soul.

Isa.38.15

But what could I say? For he himself had sent this sickness. Now I will walk humbly throughout my years because of this anguish I have felt.

Isa.38.16

O Master, these are the conditions in which people live, and yes, in these very conditions my spirit is still alive--fully recovered with a fresh infusion of life!

Isa.38.16

Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.

Isa.38.16

O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.

Isa.38.16

Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health. You have restored my health and have allowed me to live!

Isa.38.17

It seems it was good for me to go through all those troubles. Throughout them all you held tight to my lifeline. You never let me tumble over the edge into nothing. But my sins you let go of, threw them over your shoulder--good riddance!

Isa.38.17

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

Isa.38.17

Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

Isa.38.17

Yes, it was good for me to suffer this anguish, for you have rescued me from death and have forgiven all my sins.

Isa.38.18

The dead don't thank you, and choirs don't sing praises from the morgue. Those buried six feet under don't witness to your faithful ways.

Isa.38.18

For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.

Isa.38.18

For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth.

Isa.38.18

For the dead cannot praise you; they cannot raise their voices in praise. Those who go down to destruction can no longer hope in your faithfulness.

Isa.38.19

It's the living--live men, live women--who thank you, just as I'm doing right now. Parents give their children full reports on your faithful ways. [JC]

Isa.38.19

The living, the living-they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.

Isa.38.19

The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day; The father shall make known Your truth to the children.

Isa.38.19

Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation can make known your faithfulness to the next.

Isa.38.20

GOD saves and will save me. As fiddles and mandolins strike up the tunes, We'll sing, oh we'll sing, sing, for the rest of our lives in the Sanctuary of GOD.

Isa.38.20

The LORD will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the LORD.

Isa.38.20

"The LORD was ready to save me; Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life, in the house of the LORD."

Isa.38.20

Think of it--the LORD has healed me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the LORD.

Isa.38.21

Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and put it on the boil so he may recover."

Isa.38.21

Isaiah had said, "Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover."

Isa.38.21

Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover."

Isa.38.21

Isaiah had said to Hezekiah's servants, "Make an ointment from figs and spread it over the boil, and Hezekiah will recover."

Isa.38.22

Hezekiah had said, "What is my cue that it's all right to enter again the Sanctuary of GOD?"

Isa.38.22

Hezekiah had asked, "What will be the sign that I will go up to the temple of the LORD?"

Isa.38.22

And Hezekiah had said, "What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?"

Isa.38.22

And Hezekiah had asked, "What sign will prove that I will go to the Temple of the LORD three days from now?"

Isa.39.1

Sometime later, King Merodach-baladan son of Baladan of Babylon sent messengers with greetings and a gift to Hezekiah. He had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and was now well.

Isa.39.1

At that time Merodach-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery.

Isa.39.1

At that time Merodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered.

Isa.39.1

Soon after this, Merodach-baladan son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent Hezekiah his best wishes and a gift. He had heard that Hezekiah had been very sick and that he had recovered.

Isa.39.2

Hezekiah received the messengers warmly. He took them on a tour of his royal precincts, proudly showing them all his treasures: silver, gold, spices, expensive oils, all his weapons--everything out on display. There was nothing in his house or kingdom that Hezekiah didn't show them.

Isa.39.2

Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses-the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

Isa.39.2

And Hezekiah was pleased with them, and showed them the house of his treasures--the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory--all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.

Isa.39.2

Hezekiah welcomed the Babylonian envoys and showed them everything in his treasure-houses--the silver, the gold, the spices, and the aromatic oils. He also took them to see his armory and showed them all his other treasures--everything! There was nothing in his palace or kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them.

Isa.39.3

Later the prophet Isaiah showed up. He asked Hezekiah, "What were these men up to? What did they say? And where did they come from?" Hezekiah said, "They came from a long way off, from Babylon."

Isa.39.3

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, "What did those men say, and where did they come from?From a distant land," Hezekiah replied. "They came to me from Babylon."

Isa.39.3

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" So Hezekiah said, "They came to me from a far country, from Babylon."

Isa.39.3

Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did those men want? Where were they from?" Hezekiah replied, "They came from the distant land of Babylon."

Isa.39.4

"And what did they see in your palace?Everything," said Hezekiah. "I showed them the works, opened all the doors and impressed them with it all."

Isa.39.4

The prophet asked, "What did they see in your palace?They saw everything in my palace," Hezekiah said. "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."

Isa.39.4

And he said, "What have they seen in your house?" So Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them."

Isa.39.4

"What did they see in your palace?" asked Isaiah. "They saw everything," Hezekiah replied. "I showed them everything I own--all my treasures."

Isa.39.5

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Now listen to this Message from GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies:

Isa.39.5

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD Almighty:

Isa.39.5

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:

Isa.39.5

Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Listen to this message from the LORD Almighty:

Isa.39.6

I have to warn you, the time is coming when everything in this palace, along with everything your ancestors accumulated before you, will be hauled off to Babylon. GOD says that there will be nothing left. Nothing.

Isa.39.6

The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

Isa.39.6

"Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the LORD.

Isa.39.6

The time is coming when everything you have--all the treasures stored up by your ancestors--will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.

Isa.39.7

And not only your things but your sons. Some of your sons will be taken into exile, ending up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

Isa.39.7

And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."

Isa.39.7

"And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon."'

Isa.39.7

Some of your own descendants will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon's king."

Isa.39.8

Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, "Good. If GOD says so, it's good." Within himself he was thinking, "But surely nothing bad will happen in my lifetime. I'll enjoy peace and stability as long as I live." MESSAGES OF COMFORT

Isa.39.8

"The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime."

Isa.39.8

So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "At least there will be peace and truth in my days."

Isa.39.8

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." But the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime."

Isa.40.1

"Comfort, oh comfort my people," says your God.

Isa.40.1

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

Isa.40.1

"Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God.

Isa.40.1

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God.

Isa.40.2

"Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear That she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of--forgiven! She's been punished enough and more than enough, and now it's over and done with."

Isa.40.2

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

Isa.40.2

"Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD's hand Double for all her sins."

Isa.40.2

"Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and that her sins are pardoned. Yes, the LORD has punished her in full for all her sins."

Isa.40.3

Thunder in the desert! "Prepare for GOD's arrival! Make the road straight and smooth, a highway fit for our God.

Isa.40.3

A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

Isa.40.3

The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.

Isa.40.3

Listen! I hear the voice of someone shouting, "Make a highway for the LORD through the wilderness. Make a straight, smooth road through the desert for our God.

Isa.40.4

Fill in the valleys, level off the hills, Smooth out the ruts, clear out the rocks.

Isa.40.4

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

Isa.40.4

Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth;

Isa.40.4

Fill the valleys and level the hills. Straighten out the curves and smooth off the rough spots.

Isa.40.5

Then GOD's bright glory will shine and everyone will see it. Yes. Just as GOD has said."

Isa.40.5

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isa.40.5

The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Isa.40.5

Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The LORD has spoken!"

Isa.40.6

A voice says, "Shout!" I said, "What shall I shout?These people are nothing but grass, their love fragile as wildflowers.

Isa.40.6

A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

Isa.40.6

The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.

Isa.40.6

A voice said, "Shout!" I asked, "What should I shout?Shout that people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field.

Isa.40.7

The grass withers, the wildflowers fade, if GOD so much as puffs on them. Aren't these people just so much grass?

Isa.40.7

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

Isa.40.7

The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.

Isa.40.7

The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD. And so it is with people.

Isa.40.8

True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade, but our God's Word stands firm and forever."

Isa.40.8

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

Isa.40.8

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

Isa.40.8

The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever."

Isa.40.9

Climb a high mountain, Zion. You're the preacher of good news. Raise your voice. Make it good and loud, Jerusalem. You're the preacher of good news. Speak loud and clear. Don't be timid! Tell the cities of Judah, "Look! Your God!"

Isa.40.9

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!"

Isa.40.9

O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold your God!"

Isa.40.9

Messenger of good news, shout to Zion from the mountaintops! Shout louder to Jerusalem--do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, "Your God is coming!"

Isa.40.10

Look at him! GOD, the Master, comes in power, ready to go into action. He is going to pay back his enemies and reward those who have loved him.

Isa.40.10

See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

Isa.40.10

Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him.

Isa.40.10

Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in all his glorious power. He will rule with awesome strength. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

Isa.40.11

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock, gathering the lambs in his arms, Hugging them as he carries them, leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

Isa.40.11

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isa.40.11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

Isa.40.11

He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.

Isa.40.12

Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger, Who has put all the earth's dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill?

Isa.40.12

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?

Isa.40.12

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, Measured heaven with a span And calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales And the hills in a balance?

Isa.40.12

Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and the hills?

Isa.40.13

Who could ever have told GOD what to do or taught him his business?

Isa.40.13

Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

Isa.40.13

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has taught Him?

Isa.40.13

Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to be his teacher or counselor?

Isa.40.14

What expert would he have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows, showed him how things work?

Isa.40.14

Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding?

Isa.40.14

With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, And taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, And showed Him the way of understanding?

Isa.40.14

Has the LORD ever needed anyone's advice? Does he need instruction about what is good or what is best?

Isa.40.15

Why, the nations are but a drop in a bucket, a mere smudge on a window. Watch him sweep up the islands like so much dust off the floor!

Isa.40.15

Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.

Isa.40.15

Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.

Isa.40.15

No, for all the nations of the world are nothing in comparison with him. They are but a drop in the bucket, dust on the scales. He picks up the islands as though they had no weight at all.

Isa.40.16

There aren't enough trees in Lebanon nor enough animals in those vast forests to furnish adequate fuel and offerings for his worship.

Isa.40.16

Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.

Isa.40.16

And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, Nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering.

Isa.40.16

All Lebanon's forests do not contain sufficient fuel to consume a sacrifice large enough to honor him. All Lebanon's sacrificial animals would not make an offering worthy of our God.

Isa.40.17

All the nations add up to simply nothing before him--less than nothing is more like it. A minus.

Isa.40.17

Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing.

Isa.40.17

All nations before Him are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.

Isa.40.17

The nations of the world are as nothing to him. In his eyes they are less than nothing--mere emptiness and froth.

Isa.40.18

So who even comes close to being like God? To whom or what can you compare him?

Isa.40.18

To whom, then, will you compare God? What image will you compare him to?

Isa.40.18

To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?

Isa.40.18

To whom, then, can we compare God? What image might we find to resemble him?

Isa.40.19

Some no-god idol? Ridiculous! It's made in a workshop, cast in bronze, Given a thin veneer of gold, and draped with silver filigree.

Isa.40.19

As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it.

Isa.40.19

The workman molds an image, The goldsmith overspreads it with gold, And the silversmith casts silver chains.

Isa.40.19

Can he be compared to an idol formed in a mold, overlaid with gold, and decorated with silver chains?

Isa.40.20

Or, perhaps someone will select a fine wood--olive wood, say--that won't rot, Then hire a woodcarver to make a no-god, giving special care to its base so it won't tip over!

Isa.40.20

A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple.

Isa.40.20

Whoever is too impoverished for such a contribution Chooses a tree that will not rot; He seeks for himself a skillful workman To prepare a carved image that will not totter.

Isa.40.20

Or is a poor person's wooden idol better? Can God be compared to an idol that must be placed on a stand so it won't fall down?

Isa.40.21

Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things?

Isa.40.21

Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

Isa.40.21

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?

Isa.40.21

Have you never heard or understood? Are you deaf to the words of God--the words he gave before the world began? Are you so ignorant?

Isa.40.22

God sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies like a canvas--yes, like a tent canvas to live under.

Isa.40.22

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

Isa.40.22

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Isa.40.22

It is God who sits above the circle of the earth. The people below must seem to him like grasshoppers! He is the one who spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them.

Isa.40.23

He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing.

Isa.40.23

He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

Isa.40.23

He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.

Isa.40.23

He judges the great people of the world and brings them all to nothing.

Isa.40.24

Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted, They shrivel when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind.

Isa.40.24

No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

Isa.40.24

Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.

Isa.40.24

They hardly get started, barely taking root, when he blows on them and their work withers. The wind carries them off like straw.

Isa.40.25

"So--who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.

Isa.40.25

"To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Isa.40.25

"To whom then will you liken Me, Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One.

Isa.40.25

"To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One.

Isa.40.26

Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name -so magnificent! so powerful!- and never overlooks a single one?

Isa.40.26

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Isa.40.26

Lift up your eyes on high, And see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, By the greatness of His might And the strength of His power; Not one is missing.

Isa.40.26

Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away.

Isa.40.27

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "GOD has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"?

Isa.40.27

Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Isa.40.27

Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God"?

Isa.40.27

O Israel, how can you say the LORD does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case?

Isa.40.28

Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? GOD doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out.

Isa.40.28

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

Isa.40.28

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

Isa.40.28

Have you never heard or understood? Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Isa.40.29

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts.

Isa.40.29

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isa.40.29

He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Isa.40.29

He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.

Isa.40.30

For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

Isa.40.30

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

Isa.40.30

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,

Isa.40.30

Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up.

Isa.40.31

But those who wait upon GOD get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.

Isa.40.31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isa.40.31

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Isa.40.31

But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.