Isa.49.8

GOD also says: "When the time's ripe, I answer you. When victory's due, I help you. I form you and use you to reconnect the people with me, To put the land in order, to resettle families on the ruined properties.

Isa.49.8

This is what the LORD says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances,

Isa.49.8

Thus says the LORD: "In an acceptable time I have heard You, And in the day of salvation I have helped You; I will preserve You and give You As a covenant to the people, To restore the earth, To cause them to inherit the desolate heritages;

Isa.49.8

This is what the LORD says: "At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation, I will help you. I will give you as a token and pledge to Israel. This will prove that I will reestablish the land of Israel and reassign it to its own people again.

Isa.49.9

I tell prisoners, "Come on out. You're free!' and those huddled in fear, "It's all right. It's safe now.' There'll be foodstands along all the roads, picnics on all the hills--

Isa.49.9

to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!'"They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.

Isa.49.9

That You may say to the prisoners, "Go forth,' To those who are in darkness, "Show yourselves.' "They shall feed along the roads, And their pastures shall be on all desolate heights.

Isa.49.9

Through you I am saying to the prisoners of darkness, `Come out! I am giving you your freedom!' They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.

Isa.49.10

Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, For the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs.

Isa.49.10

They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Isa.49.10

They shall neither hunger nor thirst, Neither heat nor sun shall strike them; For He who has mercy on them will lead them, Even by the springs of water He will guide them.

Isa.49.10

They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun and scorching desert winds will not reach them anymore. For the LORD in his mercy will lead them beside cool waters.

Isa.49.11

I'll make all my mountains into roads, turn them into a superhighway.

Isa.49.11

I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.

Isa.49.11

I will make each of My mountains a road, And My highways shall be elevated.

Isa.49.11

And I will make my mountains into level paths for them. The highways will be raised above the valleys.

Isa.49.12

Look: These coming from far countries, and those, out of the north, These streaming in from the west, and those from all the way down the Nile!"

Isa.49.12

See, they will come from afar- some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan. "

Isa.49.12

Surely these shall come from afar; Look! Those from the north and the west, And these from the land of Sinim."

Isa.49.12

See, my people will return from far away, from lands to the north and west, and from as far south as Egypt. "

Isa.49.13

Heavens, raise the roof! Earth, wake the dead! Mountains, send up cheers! GOD has comforted his people. He has tenderly nursed his beaten-up, beaten-down people.

Isa.49.13

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

Isa.49.13

Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.

Isa.49.13

Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their sorrow.

Isa.49.14

But Zion said, "I don't get it. GOD has left me. My Master has forgotten I even exist."

Isa.49.14

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me."

Isa.49.14

But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me."

Isa.49.14

Yet Jerusalem says, "The LORD has deserted us; the Lord has forgotten us."

Isa.49.15

"Can a mother forget the infant at her breast, walk away from the baby she bore? But even if mothers forget, I'd never forget you--never.

Isa.49.15

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Isa.49.15

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.

Isa.49.15

"Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for a child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you!

Isa.49.16

Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're rebuilding are never out of my sight.

Isa.49.16

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Isa.49.16

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

Isa.49.16

See, I have written your name on my hand. Ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins.

Isa.49.17

Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good.

Isa.49.17

Your sons hasten back, and those who laid you waste depart from you.

Isa.49.17

Your sons shall make haste; Your destroyers and those who laid you waste Shall go away from you.

Isa.49.17

Soon your descendants will come back, and all who are trying to destroy you will go away.

Isa.49.18

Look up, look around, look well! See them all gathering, coming to you? As sure as I am the living God"--GOD's Decree--"you're going to put them on like so much jewelry, you're going to use them to dress up like a bride.

Isa.49.18

Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declares the LORD, "you will wear them all as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride.

Isa.49.18

Lift up your eyes, look around and see; All these gather together and come to you. As I live," says the LORD, "You shall surely clothe yourselves with them all as an ornament, And bind them on you as a bride does.

Isa.49.18

Look and see, for all your children will come back to you. As surely as I live," says the LORD, "they will be like jewels or bridal ornaments for you to display.

Isa.49.19

"And your ruined land? Your devastated, decimated land? Filled with more people than you know what to do with! And your barbarian enemies, a fading memory.

Isa.49.19

"Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.

Isa.49.19

"For your waste and desolate places, And the land of your destruction, Will even now be too small for the inhabitants; And those who swallowed you up will be far away.

Isa.49.19

"Even the most desolate parts of your abandoned land will soon be crowded with your people. Your enemies who enslaved you will be far away.

Isa.49.20

The children born in your exile will be saying, "It's getting too crowded here. I need more room.'

Isa.49.20

The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing, 'This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in.'

Isa.49.20

The children you will have, After you have lost the others, Will say again in your ears, "The place is too small for me; Give me a place where I may dwell.'

Isa.49.20

The generations born in exile will return and say, `We need more room! It's crowded here!'

Isa.49.21

And you'll say to yourself, "Where on earth did these children come from? I lost everything, had nothing, was exiled and penniless. So who reared these children? How did these children get here?'"

Isa.49.21

Then you will say in your heart, 'Who bore me these? I was bereaved and barren; I was exiled and rejected. Who brought these up? I was left all alone, but these-where have they come from?'"

Isa.49.21

Then you will say in your heart, "Who has begotten these for me, Since I have lost my children and am desolate, A captive, and wandering to and fro? And who has brought these up? There I was, left alone; But these, where were they?"'

Isa.49.21

Then you will think to yourself, `Who has given me all these descendants? For most of my children were killed, and the rest were carried away into exile. I was left here all alone. Who bore these children? Who raised them for me?'"

Isa.49.22

The Master, GOD, says: "Look! I signal to the nations, I raise my flag to summon the people. Here they'll come: women carrying your little boys in their arms, men carrying your little girls on their shoulders.

Isa.49.22

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will beckon to the Gentiles, I will lift up my banner to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.

Isa.49.22

Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, I will lift My hand in an oath to the nations, And set up My standard for the peoples; They shall bring your sons in their arms, And your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders;

Isa.49.22

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I will give a signal to the godless nations. They will carry your little sons back to you in their arms; they will bring your daughters on their shoulders.

Isa.49.23

Kings will be your babysitters, princesses will be your nursemaids. They'll offer to do all your drudge work--scrub your floors, do your laundry. You'll know then that I am GOD. No one who hopes in me ever regrets it."

Isa.49.23

Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

Isa.49.23

Kings shall be your foster fathers, And their queens your nursing mothers; They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth, And lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD, For they shall not be ashamed who wait for Me."

Isa.49.23

Kings and queens will serve you. They will care for all your needs. They will bow to the earth before you and lick the dust from your feet. Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who wait for me will never be put to shame."

Isa.49.24

Can plunder be retrieved from a giant, prisoners of war gotten back from a tyrant?

Isa.49.24

Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce?

Isa.49.24

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives of the righteous be delivered?

Isa.49.24

Who can snatch the plunder of war from the hands of a warrior? Who can demand that a tyrant let his captives go?

Isa.49.25

But GOD says, "Even if a giant grips the plunder and a tyrant holds my people prisoner, I'm the one who's on your side, defending your cause, rescuing your children.

Isa.49.25

But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.

Isa.49.25

But thus says the LORD: "Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, And the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.

Isa.49.25

But the LORD says, "The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.

Isa.49.26

And your enemies, crazed and desperate, will turn on themselves, killing each other in a frenzy of self-destruction. Then everyone will know that I, GOD, have saved you--I, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Isa.49.26

I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Isa.49.26

I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, And they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the LORD, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

Isa.49.26

I will feed your enemies with their own flesh. They will be drunk with rivers of their own blood. All the world will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel. "

Isa.50.1

GOD says: "Can you produce your mother's divorce papers proving I got rid of her? Can you produce a receipt proving I sold you? Of course you can't. It's your sins that put you here, your wrongs that got you shipped out.

Isa.50.1

This is what the LORD says: "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away.

Isa.50.1

Thus says the LORD: "Where is the certificate of your mother's divorce, Whom I have put away? Or which of My creditors is it to whom I have sold you? For your iniquities you have sold yourselves, And for your transgressions your mother has been put away.

Isa.50.1

The LORD asks, "Did I sell you as slaves to my creditors? Is that why you are not here? Is your mother gone because I divorced her and sent her away? No, you went away as captives because of your sins. And your mother, too, was taken because of your sins.

Isa.50.2

So why didn't anyone come when I knocked? Why didn't anyone answer when I called? Do you think I've forgotten how to help? Am I so decrepit that I can't deliver? I'm as powerful as ever, and can reverse what I once did: I can dry up the sea with a word, turn river water into desert sand, And leave the fish stinking in the sun, stranded on dry land

Isa.50.2

When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst.

Isa.50.2

Why, when I came, was there no man? Why, when I called, was there none to answer? Is My hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver? Indeed with My rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness; Their fish stink because there is no water, And die of thirst.

Isa.50.2

Was I too weak to save you? Is that why the house is silent and empty when I come home? Is it because I have no power to rescue? No, that is not the reason! For I can speak to the sea and make it dry! I can turn rivers into deserts covered with dying fish.

Isa.50.3

Turn all the lights out in the sky and pull down the curtain." [JC]

Isa.50.3

I clothe the sky with darkness and make sackcloth its covering."

Isa.50.3

I clothe the heavens with blackness, And I make sackcloth their covering."

Isa.50.3

I am the one who sends darkness out across the skies, bringing it to a state of mourning."

Isa.50.4

The Master, GOD, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, Wakes me up, opens my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.

Isa.50.4

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

Isa.50.4

"The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.

Isa.50.4

The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know what to say to all these weary ones. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

Isa.50.5

The Master, GOD, opened my ears, and I didn't go back to sleep, didn't pull the covers back over my head.

Isa.50.5

The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.

Isa.50.5

The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away.

Isa.50.5

The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me, and I have listened. I do not rebel or turn away.

Isa.50.6

I followed orders, stood there and took it while they beat me, held steady while they pulled out my beard, Didn't dodge their insults, faced them as they spit in my face.

Isa.50.6

I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.

Isa.50.6

I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.

Isa.50.6

I give my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pull out my beard. I do not hide from shame, for they mock me and spit in my face.

Isa.50.7

And the Master, GOD, stays right there and helps me, so I'm not disgraced. Therefore I set my face like flint, confident that I'll never regret this.

Isa.50.7

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.

Isa.50.7

"For the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Isa.50.7

Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will triumph.

Isa.50.8

My champion is right here. Let's take our stand together! Who dares bring suit against me? Let him try!

Isa.50.8

He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me!

Isa.50.8

He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me.

Isa.50.8

He who gives me justice is near. Who will dare to oppose me now? Where are my enemies? Let them appear!

Isa.50.9

Look! the Master, GOD, is right here. Who would dare call me guilty? Look! My accusers are a clothes bin of threadbare socks and shirts, fodder for moths! [JC]

Isa.50.9

It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Isa.50.9

Surely the Lord GOD will help Me; Who is he who will condemn Me? Indeed they will all grow old like a garment; The moth will eat them up.

Isa.50.9

See, the Sovereign LORD is on my side! Who will declare me guilty? All my enemies will be destroyed like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

Isa.50.10

Who out there fears GOD, actually listens to the voice of his servant? For anyone out there who doesn't know where you're going, anyone groping in the dark, Here's what: Trust in GOD. Lean on your God!

Isa.50.10

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.

Isa.50.10

"Who among you fears the LORD? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness And has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD And rely upon his God.

Isa.50.10

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the LORD and rely on your God.

Isa.50.11

But if all you're after is making trouble, playing with fire, Go ahead and see where it gets you. Set your fires, stir people up, blow on the flames, But don't expect me to just stand there and watch. I'll hold your feet to those flames.

Isa.50.11

But now, all you who light fires and provide yourselves with flaming torches, go, walk in the light of your fires and of the torches you have set ablaze. This is what you shall receive from my hand: You will lie down in torment.

Isa.50.11

Look, all you who kindle a fire, Who encircle yourselves with sparks: Walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks you have kindled-- This you shall have from My hand: You shall lie down in torment.

Isa.50.11

But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon lie down in great torment.

Isa.51.1

"Listen to me, all you who are serious about right living and committed to seeking GOD. Ponder the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were dug.

Isa.51.1

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;

Isa.51.1

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, You who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.

Isa.51.1

"Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance--all who seek the LORD! Consider the quarry from which you were mined, the rock from which you were cut!

Isa.51.2

Yes, ponder Abraham, your father, and Sarah, who bore you. Think of it! One solitary man when I called him, but once I blessed him, he multiplied.

Isa.51.2

look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.

Isa.51.2

Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone, And blessed him and increased him."

Isa.51.2

Yes, think about your ancestors Abraham and Sarah, from whom you came. Abraham was alone when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation."

Isa.51.3

Likewise I, GOD, will comfort Zion, comfort all her mounds of ruins. I'll transform her dead ground into Eden, her moonscape into the garden of GOD, A place filled with exuberance and laughter, thankful voices and melodic songs.

Isa.51.3

The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Isa.51.3

For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

Isa.51.3

The LORD will comfort Israel again and make her deserts blossom. Her barren wilderness will become as beautiful as Eden--the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Lovely songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

Isa.51.4

"Pay attention, my people. Listen to me, nations. Revelation flows from me. My decisions light up the world.

Isa.51.4

"Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.

Isa.51.4

"Listen to Me, My people; And give ear to Me, O My nation: For law will proceed from Me, And I will make My justice rest As a light of the peoples.

Isa.51.4

"Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations.

Isa.51.5

My deliverance arrives on the run, my salvation right on time. I'll bring justice to the peoples. Even faraway islands will look to me and take hope in my saving power.

Isa.51.5

My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.

Isa.51.5

My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.

Isa.51.5

My mercy and justice are coming soon. Your salvation is on the way. I will rule the nations. They will wait for me and long for my power.

Isa.51.6

Look up at the skies, ponder the earth under your feet. The skies will fade out like smoke, the earth will wear out like work pants, and the people will die off like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my setting-things-right will never be obsolete.

Isa.51.6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

Isa.51.6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, And look on the earth beneath. For the heavens will vanish away like smoke, The earth will grow old like a garment, And those who dwell in it will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not be abolished.

Isa.51.6

Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth beneath. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end!

Isa.51.7

"Listen now, you who know right from wrong, you who hold my teaching inside you: Pay no attention to insults, and when mocked don't let it get you down.

Isa.51.7

"Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults.

Isa.51.7

"Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, You people in whose heart is My law: Do not fear the reproach of men, Nor be afraid of their insults.

Isa.51.7

"Listen to me, you who know right from wrong and cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's scorn or their slanderous talk.

Isa.51.8

Those insults and mockeries are moth-eaten, from brains that are termite-ridden, But my setting-things-right lasts, my salvation goes on and on and on."

Isa.51.8

For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations."

Isa.51.8

For the moth will eat them up like a garment, And the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation from generation to generation."

Isa.51.8

For the moth will destroy them as it destroys clothing. The worm will eat away at them as it eats wool. But my righteousness will last forever. My salvation will continue from generation to generation."

Isa.51.9

Wake up, wake up, flex your muscles, GOD! Wake up as in the old days, in the long ago. Didn't you once make mincemeat of Rahab, dispatch the old chaos-dragon?

Isa.51.9

Awake, awake! Clothe yourself with strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through?

Isa.51.9

Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD! Awake as in the ancient days, In the generations of old. Are You not the arm that cut Rahab apart, And wounded the serpent?

Isa.51.9

Wake up, LORD! Robe yourself with strength! Rouse yourself as in the days of old when you slew Egypt, the dragon of the Nile.

Isa.51.10

And didn't you once dry up the sea, the powerful waters of the deep, And then made the bottom of the ocean a road for the redeemed to walk across?

Isa.51.10

Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over?

Isa.51.10

Are You not the One who dried up the sea, The waters of the great deep; That made the depths of the sea a road For the redeemed to cross over?

Isa.51.10

Are you not the same today, the one who dried up the sea, making a path of escape when you saved your people?

Isa.51.11

In the same way GOD's ransomed will come back, come back to Zion cheering, shouting, Joy eternal wreathing their heads, exuberant ecstasies transporting them--and not a sign of moans or groans.

Isa.51.11

The ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isa.51.11

So the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness; Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isa.51.11

Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return to Jerusalem, singing songs of everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be overcome with joy and gladness.

Isa.51.12

"I, I'm the One comforting you. What are you afraid of--or who? Some man or woman who'll soon be dead? Some poor wretch destined for dust?

Isa.51.12

"I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass,

Isa.51.12

"I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass?

Isa.51.12

"I, even I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?

Isa.51.13

You've forgotten me, GOD, who made you, who unfurled the skies, who founded the earth. And here you are, quaking like an aspen before the tantrums of a tyrant who thinks he can kick down the world. But what will come of the tantrums?

Isa.51.13

that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor?

Isa.51.13

And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?

Isa.51.13

Yet you have forgotten the LORD, your Creator, the one who put the stars in the sky and established the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppression? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies from morning till night?

Isa.51.14

The victims will be released before you know it. They're not going to die. They're not even going to go hungry.

Isa.51.14

The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread.

Isa.51.14

The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed, That he should not die in the pit, And that his bread should not fail.

Isa.51.14

Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate!

Isa.51.15

For I am GOD, your very own God, who stirs up the sea and whips up the waves, named GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies.

Isa.51.15

For I am the LORD your God, who churns up the sea so that its waves roar- the LORD Almighty is his name.

Isa.51.15

But I am the LORD your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared-- The LORD of hosts is His name.

Isa.51.15

For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD Almighty.

Isa.51.16

I teach you how to talk, word by word, and personally watch over you, Even while I'm unfurling the skies, setting earth on solid foundations, and greeting Zion: "Welcome, my people!'"

Isa.51.16

I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand- I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.'"

Isa.51.16

And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, "You are My people."'

Isa.51.16

And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, `You are mine!'"

Gal.6.1

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out.

Gal.6.1

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Gal.6.1

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Gal.6.1

Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Gal.6.2

Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law.

Gal.6.2

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal.6.2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal.6.2

Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Gal.6.3

If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

Gal.6.3

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Gal.6.3

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Gal.6.3

If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.

Gal.6.4

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.

Gal.6.4

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,

Gal.6.4

But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Gal.6.4

Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.

Gal.6.5

Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Gal.6.5

for each one should carry his own load.

Gal.6.5

For each one shall bear his own load.

Gal.6.5

For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Gal.6.6

Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.

Gal.6.6

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Gal.6.6

Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

Gal.6.6

Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.

Gal.6.7

Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others--ignoring God!-

Gal.6.7

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Gal.6.7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Gal.6.7

Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow!

Gal.6.8

harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

Gal.6.8

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Gal.6.8

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Gal.6.8

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

Gal.6.9

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.

Gal.6.9

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Gal.6.9

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Gal.6.9

So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

Gal.6.10

Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

Gal.6.10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gal.6.10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Gal.6.10

Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.

Gal.6.11

Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you.

Gal.6.11

See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

Gal.6.11

See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

Gal.6.11

Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

Gal.6.12

These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ's suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas.

Gal.6.12

Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Gal.6.12

As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Gal.6.12

Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.

Gal.6.13

They themselves don't keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible!

Gal.6.13

Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.

Gal.6.13

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Gal.6.13

And even those who advocate circumcision don't really keep the whole law. They only want you to be circumcised so they can brag about it and claim you as their disciples.

Gal.6.14

For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate.

Gal.6.14

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Gal.6.14

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Gal.6.14

As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world's interest in me is also long dead.

Gal.6.15

Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do--submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!

Gal.6.15

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

Gal.6.15

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Gal.6.15

It doesn't make any difference now whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different people.

Gal.6.16

All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God--his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!

Gal.6.16

Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.

Gal.6.16

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Gal.6.16

May God's mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle. They are the new people of God.

Gal.6.17

Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do--the serious living of this faith. I bear in my body scars from my service to Jesus.

Gal.6.17

Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Gal.6.17

From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Gal.6.17

From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

Gal.6.18

May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes!

Gal.6.18

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Gal.6.18

Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Gal.6.18

My dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Prov.23.10

Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines or cheat orphans out of their property,

Prov.23.10

Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

Prov.23.10

Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless;

Prov.23.10

Don't steal the land of defenseless orphans by moving the ancient boundary markers,

Prov.23.11

For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them.

Prov.23.11

for their Defender is strong; he will take up their case against you.

Prov.23.11

For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you.

Prov.23.11

for their Redeemer is strong. He himself will bring their charges against you.

Prov.23.12

Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.

Prov.23.12

Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.

Prov.23.12

Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge.

Prov.23.12

Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear words of knowledge.

Prov.23.13

Don't be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won't kill them.

Prov.23.13

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Prov.23.13

Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.

Prov.23.13

Don't fail to correct your children. They won't die if you spank them.

Prov.23.14

A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death.

Prov.23.14

Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.

Prov.23.14

You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.

Prov.23.14

Physical discipline may well save them from death.

Prov.23.15

Dear child, if you become wise, I'll be one happy parent.

Prov.23.15

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad;

Prov.23.15

My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice--indeed, I myself;

Prov.23.15

My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise.

Prov.23.16

My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you'll speak.

Prov.23.16

my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

Prov.23.16

Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things.

Prov.23.16

Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just.

Prov.23.17

Don't for a minute envy careless rebels; soak yourself in the Fear-of-GOD-

Prov.23.17

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.

Prov.23.17

Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

Prov.23.17

Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD.

Prov.23.18

That's where your future lies. Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing.

Prov.23.18

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Prov.23.18

For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.

Prov.23.18

For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed.