Isaiah 59:16-17

The Lord Intervenes

59:16 He sees there is no advocate;

he is shocked that no one intervenes.

So he takes matters into his own hands;

his desire for justice drives him on.

59:17 He wears his desire for justice like body armor,

and his desire to deliver is like a helmet on his head.

He puts on the garments of vengeance

and wears zeal like a robe.


tn Heb “man” (so KJV, ASV); TEV “no one to help.”

tn Or “appalled” (NAB, NIV, NRSV), or “disgusted.”

tn Heb “and his arm delivers for him.”

tn Heb “and his justice [or “righteousness”] supports him.”

tn Or “righteousness” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “goodness.”

tn Or “a breastplate” (traditional; so many English versions); TEV “a coat of armour.”

tn Heb “and [as] a helmet deliverance on his head.”

tn Heb “and he puts on the clothes of vengeance [as] a garment.”