Isaiah 57:18-21

57:18 I have seen their behavior,

but I will heal them and give them rest,

and I will once again console those who mourn.

57:19 I am the one who gives them reason to celebrate.

Complete prosperity is available both to those who are far away and those who are nearby,”

says the Lord, “and I will heal them.

57:20 But the wicked are like a surging sea

that is unable to be quiet;

its waves toss up mud and sand.

57:21 There will be no prosperity,” says my God, “for the wicked.”


tn Heb “his ways” (so KJV, NASB, NIV); TEV “how they acted.”

tn Heb “and I will restore consolation to him, to his mourners.”

tc The Hebrew text has literally, “one who creates fruit of lips.” Perhaps the pronoun אֲנִי (’ani) should be inserted after the participle; it may have been accidentally omitted by haplography: נוּב שְׂפָתָיִם[אֲנִי] בּוֹרֵא (bore’ [’ani] nuv sÿfatayim). “Fruit of the lips” is often understood as a metonymy for praise; perhaps it refers more generally to joyful shouts (see v. 18).

tn Heb “Peace, peace.” The repetition of the noun emphasizes degree.