Isa.40.1
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
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 ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
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
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
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
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
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
And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
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
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
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 withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
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
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
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
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
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
Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
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
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
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 hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
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 hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
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
With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
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
Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
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
And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
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 nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
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
To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
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
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
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
He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
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 ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
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
It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
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
That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
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
Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
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
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
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
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
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 sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
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
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
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 giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
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
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
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 they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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.
