10:7 But he does not agree with this,
his mind does not reason this way, 1
for his goal is to destroy,
and to eliminate many nations. 2
30:21 You 3 will hear a word spoken behind you, saying,
“This is the correct 4 way, walk in it,”
whether you are heading to the right or the left.
40:3 A voice cries out,
“In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord;
construct in the desert a road for our God.
40:14 From whom does he receive directions? 5
Who 6 teaches him the correct way to do things, 7
or imparts knowledge to him,
or instructs him in skillful design? 8
56:11 The dogs have big appetites;
they are never full. 9
They are shepherds who have no understanding;
they all go their own way,
each one looking for monetary gain. 10
57:9 You take olive oil as tribute 11 to your king, 12
along with many perfumes. 13
You send your messengers to a distant place;
you go all the way to Sheol. 14
62:10 Come through! Come through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people!
Build it! Build the roadway!
Remove the stones!
Lift a signal flag for the nations!
65:2 I spread out my hands all day long
to my rebellious people,
who lived in a way that is morally unacceptable,
and who did what they desired. 15
1 tn Heb “but he, not so does he intend, and his heart, not so does it think.”
2 tn Heb “for to destroy [is] in his heart, and to cut off nations, not a few.”
3 tn Heb “your ears” (so NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
4 tn The word “correct’ is supplied in the translation for clarification.
5 tn Heb “With whom did he consult, so that he gave discernment to him?”
6 tn Heb “and taught him.” The vav (ו) consecutive with prefixed verbal form continues the previous line. The translation employs an interrogative pronoun for stylistic reasons.
7 tn The phrase אֹרַח מִשְׁפָּט (’orakh mishpat) could be translated “path of justice” (so NASB, NRSV), but in this context, where creative ability and skill is in view, the phrase is better understood in the sense of “the way that is proper or fitting” (see BDB 1049 s.v. מִשְׁפָּט 6); cf. NIV, NCV “the right way.”
8 tn Heb “or the way of understanding causes him to know?”
sn The implied answer to the rhetorical questions in vv. 13-14 is, “No one.” In contrast to Marduk, the creator-god of Mesopotamian myths who receives help from the god of wisdom, the Lord neither needs nor receives any such advice or help. See R. Whybray, Heavenly Counsellor (SOTSMS), 64-77.
9 sn The phrase never full alludes to the greed of the leaders.
10 tn Heb “for his gain from his end.”
11 tn Heb “you journey with oil.”
12 tn Heb “the king.” Since the context refers to idolatry and child sacrifice (see v. 5), some emend מֶלֶך (melekh, “king”) to “Molech.” Perhaps Israel’s devotion to her idols is likened here to a subject taking tribute to a ruler.
13 tn Heb “and you multiply your perfumes.”
14 sn Israel’s devotion to her idols is inordinate, irrational, and self-destructive.
15 tn Heb “who walked [in] the way that is not good, after their thoughts.”