49:4 But I thought, 1 “I have worked in vain;
I have expended my energy for absolutely nothing.” 2
But the Lord will vindicate me;
my God will reward me. 3
56:1 This is what the Lord says,
“Promote 4 justice! Do what is right!
For I am ready to deliver you;
I am ready to vindicate you openly. 5
1 tn Or “said” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); NLT “I replied.”
2 tn Heb “for nothing and emptiness.” Synonyms are combined to emphasize the common idea.
3 tn Heb “But my justice is with the Lord, and my reward [or “wage”] with my God.”
4 tn Heb “guard”; KJV “Keep”; NAB “Observe”; NASB “Preserve”; NIV, NRSV “Maintain.”
5 tn Heb “for near is my deliverance to enter, and my vindication [or “righteousness”] to be revealed.”