Isaiah 30:15

30:15 For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:

“If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered;

if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength,

but you are unwilling.

Isaiah 43:23

43:23 You did not bring me lambs for your burnt offerings;

you did not honor me with your sacrifices.

I did not burden you with offerings;

I did not make you weary by demanding incense.

Isaiah 44:7

44:7 Who is like me? Let him make his claim!

Let him announce it and explain it to me –

since I established an ancient people –

let them announce future events!

Isaiah 47:10

47:10 You were complacent in your evil deeds;

you thought, ‘No one sees me.’

Your self-professed wisdom and knowledge lead you astray,

when you say, ‘I am unique! No one can compare to me!’ 10 

Isaiah 48:16

48:16 Approach me! Listen to this!

From the very first I have not spoken in secret;

when it happens, 11  I am there.”

So now, the sovereign Lord has sent me, accompanied by his spirit. 12 

Isaiah 65:1

The Lord Will Distinguish Between Sinners and the Godly

65:1 “I made myself available to those who did not ask for me; 13 

I appeared to those who did not look for me. 14 

I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’

to a nation that did not invoke 15  my name.


tn Heb “in returning and in quietness you will be delivered.” Many English versions render the last phrase “shall be saved” or something similar (e.g., NAB, NASB, NRSV).

tn Heb “in quietness and in trust is your strength” (NASB and NRSV both similar).

tn Heb “with.” The words “by demanding” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

tn Heb “let him call” or “let him proclaim” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV); NAB “Let him stand up and speak.”

tc The Hebrew text reads, “from (the time) I established an ancient people, and the coming things.” Various emendations have been proposed. One of the options assumes the reading מַשְׁמִיעִים מֵעוֹלָם אוֹתִיּוֹת (mashmiim meolamotiyyot); This literally reads “the ones causing to hear from antiquity coming things,” but more idiomatically would read “as for those who predict from antiquity what will happen” (cf. NAB, NEB, REB). The emendation directs the attention of the reader to those who claim to be able to predict the future, challenging them to actually do what they claim they can do. The MT presents Yahweh as an example to whom these alleged “predictors of the future” can compare themselves. Since the ancient versions are unanimous in their support of the MT, the emendations should be set aside.

tn Heb and those things which are coming let them declare for themselves.”

tn Heb “you trusted in your evil”; KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV “wickedness.”

tn Or “said”; NAB “said to yourself”’ NASB “said in your heart.”

tn The words “self-professed” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

10 tn See the note at v. 8.

11 tn Heb “from the time of its occurring.”

12 sn The speaker here is not identified specifically, but he is probably Cyrus, the Lord’s “ally” mentioned in vv. 14-15.

13 tn Heb “I allowed myself to be sought by those who did not ask.”

14 tn Heb “I allowed myself to be found by those who did not seek.”

15 tn Heb “call out in”; NASB, NIV, NRSV “call on.”