Discovery BoxIsaiah 55:6-8 
Context55:6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; 1
call to him while he is nearby!
55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle 2
and sinful people their plans. 3
They should return 4 to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, 5
and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. 6
1 tn Heb “while he allows himself to be found.” The Niphal form has a tolerative force here.
2 tn Heb “Let the wicked one abandon his way.” The singular is collective.
3 tn Heb “and the man of evil his thoughts.” The singular is collective.
4 tn Heb “let him return.” The singular is collective, meaning “let them.”
5 tn The imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive after the jussive indicates purpose/result.
6 sn The appeal and promise of vv. 6-7 echoes the language of Deut 4:25-31; 30:1-10; and 1 Kgs 8:46-53, all of which anticipate the exile and speak of the prerequisites for restoration.
7 tn Or “For” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV).
8 tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).
9 tn Heb “are not.” “Like” is interpretive, but v. 9 indicates that a comparison is in view.
10 tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).
11 tn Heb “are not.” “Like” is interpretive, but v. 9 indicates that a comparison is in view.
