Isa.41.1
Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.
Isa.41.1
"Quiet down, far-flung ocean islands. Listen! Sit down and rest, everyone. Recover your strength. Gather around me. Say what's on your heart. Together let's decide what's right.
Isa.41.1
"Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.
Isa.41.1
"Keep silence before Me, O coastlands, And let the people renew their strength! Let them come near, then let them speak; Let us come near together for judgment.
Isa.41.1
"Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case.
Isa.41.2
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
Isa.41.2
"Who got things rolling here, got this champion from the east on the move? Who recruited him for this job, then rounded up and corralled the nations so he could run roughshod over kings? He's off and running, pulverizing nations into dust, leaving only stubble and chaff in his wake.
Isa.41.2
"Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow.
Isa.41.2
"Who raised up one from the east? Who in righteousness called him to His feet? Who gave the nations before him, And made him rule over kings? Who gave them as the dust to his sword, As driven stubble to his bow?
Isa.41.2
"Who has stirred up this king from the east, who meets victory at every step? Who, indeed, but the LORD? He gives him victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot. He puts entire armies to the sword. He scatters them in the wind with his bow.
Isa.41.3
He pursued them, and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.
Isa.41.3
He chases them and comes through unscathed, his feet scarcely touching the path.
Isa.41.3
He pursues them and moves on unscathed, by a path his feet have not traveled before.
Isa.41.3
Who pursued them, and passed safely By the way that he had not gone with his feet?
Isa.41.3
He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground.
Isa.41.4
Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I the LORD, the first, and with the last; I am he.
Isa.41.4
"Who did this? Who made it happen? Who always gets things started? I did. GOD. I'm first on the scene. I'm also the last to leave.
Isa.41.4
Who has done this and carried it through, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD -with the first of them and with the last-I am he."
Isa.41.4
Who has performed and done it, Calling the generations from the beginning? "I, the LORD, am the first; And with the last I am He."'
Isa.41.4
Who has done such mighty deeds, directing the affairs of the human race as each new generation marches by? It is I, the LORD, the First and the Last. I alone am he."
Isa.41.5
The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.
Isa.41.5
"Far-flung ocean islands see it and panic. The ends of the earth are shaken. Fearfully they huddle together.
Isa.41.5
The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward;
Isa.41.5
The coastlands saw it and feared, The ends of the earth were afraid; They drew near and came.
Isa.41.5
The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war.
Isa.41.6
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.
Isa.41.6
They try to help each other out, making up stories in the dark.
Isa.41.6
each helps the other and says to his brother, "Be strong!"
Isa.41.6
Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, "Be of good courage!"
Isa.41.6
They encourage one another with the words, "Be strong!"
Isa.41.7
So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
Isa.41.7
The godmakers in the workshops go into overtime production, crafting new models of no-gods, Urging one another on--"Good job!'"Great design!'- pounding in nails at the base so that the things won't tip over.
Isa.41.7
The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, "It is good." He nails down the idol so it will not topple.
Isa.41.7
So the craftsman encouraged the goldsmith; He who smooths with the hammer inspired him who strikes the anvil, Saying, "It is ready for the soldering"; Then he fastened it with pegs, That it might not totter.
Isa.41.7
The craftsmen rush to make new idols. The carver hurries the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. "Good," they say. "It's coming along fine." Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won't fall over.
Isa.41.8
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Isa.41.8
"But you, Israel, are my servant. You're Jacob, my first choice, descendants of my good friend Abraham.
Isa.41.8
"But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend,
Isa.41.8
"But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
Isa.41.8
"But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from my friend Abraham,
Isa.41.9
Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
Isa.41.9
I pulled you in from all over the world, called you in from every dark corner of the earth, Telling you, "You're my servant, serving on my side. I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Isa.41.9
I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
Isa.41.9
You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, "You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
Isa.41.9
I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away.
Isa.41.10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Isa.41.10
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Isa.41.10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa.41.10
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isa.41.10
Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
Isa.41.11
Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.
Isa.41.11
"Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold--real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty--handed--nothing to show for their lives.
Isa.41.11
"All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
Isa.41.11
"Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.
Isa.41.11
"See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and ashamed. Anyone who opposes you will die.
Isa.41.12
Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.
Isa.41.12
When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won't find them--Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory.
Isa.41.12
Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
Isa.41.12
You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.
Isa.41.12
You will look for them in vain. They will all be gone!
Isa.41.13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Isa.41.13
That's right. Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, "Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'
Isa.41.13
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isa.41.13
For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, "Fear not, I will help you.'
Isa.41.13
I am holding you by your right hand--I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, `Do not be afraid. I am here to help you.
Isa.41.14
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.14
"Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don't be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I'll help you. I, GOD, want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
Isa.41.14
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you," declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.14
"Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you," says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.14
Despised though you are, O Israel, don't be afraid, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.'
Isa.41.15
Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
Isa.41.15
I'm transforming you from worm to harrow, from insect to iron. As a sharp-toothed harrow you'll smooth out the mountains, turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
Isa.41.15
"See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.
Isa.41.15
"Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; You shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, And make the hills like chaff.
Isa.41.15
You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear all your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains.
Isa.41.16
Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.16
You'll open the rough ground to the weather, to the blasts of sun and wind and rain. But you'll be confident and exuberant, expansive in The Holy of Israel!
Isa.41.16
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up, and a gale will blow them away. But you will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.16
You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away, And the whirlwind shall scatter them; You shall rejoice in the LORD, And glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.16
You will toss them in the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. And the joy of the LORD will fill you to overflowing. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa.41.17
When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isa.41.17
"The poor and homeless are desperate for water, their tongues parched and no water to be found. But I'm there to be found, I'm there for them, and I, God of Israel, will not leave them thirsty.
Isa.41.17
"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
Isa.41.17
"The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
Isa.41.17
"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never forsake them.
Isa.41.18
I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isa.41.18
I'll open up rivers for them on the barren hills, spout fountains in the valleys. I'll turn the baked-clay badlands into a cool pond, the waterless waste into splashing creeks.
Isa.41.18
I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs.
Isa.41.18
I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.
Isa.41.18
I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. In the deserts they will find pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the dry, parched ground.
Isa.41.19
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
Isa.41.19
I'll plant the red cedar in that treeless wasteland, also acacia, myrtle, and olive. I'll place the cypress in the desert, with plenty of oaks and pines.
Isa.41.19
I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together,
Isa.41.19
I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, The myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine And the box tree together,
Isa.41.19
I will plant trees--cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine--on barren land.
Isa.41.20
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
Isa.41.20
Everyone will see this. No one can miss it--unavoidable, indisputable evidence That I, GOD, personally did this. It's created and signed by The Holy of Israel.
Isa.41.20
so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isa.41.20
That they may see and know, And consider and understand together, That the hand of the LORD has done this, And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isa.41.20
Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, who did it.
Isa.41.21
Produce your cause, saith the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.
Isa.41.21
"Set out your case for your gods," says GOD. "Bring your evidence," says the King of Jacob.
Isa.41.21
"Present your case," says the LORD. "Set forth your arguments," says Jacob's King.
Isa.41.21
"Present your case," says the LORD. "Bring forth your strong reasons," says the King of Jacob.
Isa.41.21
"Can your idols make such claims as these? Let them come and show what they can do!" says the LORD, the King of Israel.
Isa.41.22
Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.
Isa.41.22
"Take the stand on behalf of your idols, offer arguments, assemble reasons. Spread out the facts before us so that we can assess them ourselves. Ask them, "If you are gods, explain what the past means--
Isa.41.22
"Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come,
Isa.41.22
"Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come.
Isa.41.22
"Let them try to tell us what happened long ago or what the future holds.
Isa.41.23
Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Isa.41.23
or, failing that, tell us what will happen in the future. Can't do that? How about doing something--anything! Good or bad--whatever. Can you hurt us or help us? Do we need to be afraid?'
Isa.41.23
tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear.
Isa.41.23
Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods; Yes, do good or do evil, That we may be dismayed and see it together.
Isa.41.23
Yes, that's it! If you are gods, tell what will occur in the days ahead. Or perform a mighty miracle that will fill us with amazement and fear. Do something, whether good or bad!
Isa.41.24
Behold, ye are of nothing, and your work of nought: an abomination is he that chooseth you.
Isa.41.24
They say nothing, because they are nothing--sham gods, no-gods, fool-making gods.
Isa.41.24
But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable.
Isa.41.24
Indeed you are nothing, And your work is nothing; He who chooses you is an abomination.
Isa.41.24
But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all. Anyone who chooses you becomes filthy, just like you!
Isa.41.25
I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
Isa.41.25
"I, God, started someone out from the north and he's come. He was called out of the east by name. He'll stomp the rulers into the mud the way a potter works the clay.
Isa.41.25
"I have stirred up one from the north, and he comes- one from the rising sun who calls on my name. He treads on rulers as if they were mortar, as if he were a potter treading the clay.
Isa.41.25
"I have raised up one from the north, And he shall come; From the rising of the sun he shall call on My name; And he shall come against princes as though mortar, As the potter treads clay.
Isa.41.25
"But I have stirred up a leader from the north and east. He will come against the nations and call on my name, and I will give him victory over kings and princes. He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.
Isa.41.26
Who hath declared from the beginning, that we may know? and beforetime, that we may say, He is righteous? yea, there is none that sheweth, yea, there is none that declareth, yea, there is none that heareth your words.
Isa.41.26
Let me ask you, Did anyone guess that this might happen? Did anyone tell us earlier so we might confirm it with "Yes, he's right!'? No one mentioned it, no one announced it, no one heard a peep out of you.
Isa.41.26
Who told of this from the beginning, so we could know, or beforehand, so we could say, 'He was right'? No one told of this, no one foretold it, no one heard any words from you.
Isa.41.26
Who has declared from the beginning, that we may know? And former times, that we may say, "He is righteous'? Surely there is no one who shows, Surely there is no one who declares, Surely there is no one who hears your words.
Isa.41.26
"Who but I have told you this would happen? Who else predicted this, making you admit that he was right? No one else said a word!
Isa.41.27
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
Isa.41.27
But I told Zion all about this beforehand. I gave Jerusalem a preacher of good news.
Isa.41.27
I was the first to tell Zion, 'Look, here they are!' I gave to Jerusalem a messenger of good tidings.
Isa.41.27
The first time I said to Zion, "Look, there they are!' And I will give to Jerusalem one who brings good tidings.
Isa.41.27
I was the first to tell Jerusalem, `Look! Help is on the way!'
Isa.41.28
For I beheld, and there was no man; even among them, and there was no counsellor, that, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Isa.41.28
But around here there's no one--no one who knows what's going on. I ask, but no one can tell me the score.
Isa.41.28
I look but there is no one- no one among them to give counsel, no one to give answer when I ask them.
Isa.41.28
For I looked, and there was no man; I looked among them, but there was no counselor, Who, when I asked of them, could answer a word.
Isa.41.28
Not one of your idols told you this. Not one gave any answer when I asked.
Isa.41.29
Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
Isa.41.29
Nothing here. It's all smoke and hot air--sham gods, hollow gods, no-gods.
Isa.41.29
See, they are all false! Their deeds amount to nothing; their images are but wind and confusion.
Isa.41.29
Indeed they are all worthless; Their works are nothing; Their molded images are wind and confusion.
Isa.41.29
See, they are all foolish, worthless things. Your idols are all as empty as the wind.
