Yesaya 1:26

1:26 I will reestablish honest judges as in former times,

wise advisers as in earlier days. ¹ 

Then you will be called, ‘The Just City,

Faithful Town.’”

Yesaya 28:6

28:6 He will give discernment to the one who makes judicial decisions,

and strength to those who defend the city from attackers. ² 

Yesaya 29:21

29:21 those who bear false testimony against a person, ³ 

who entrap the one who arbitrates at the city gate ⁴ 

and deprive the innocent of justice by making false charges. ⁵ 

Yesaya 31:2

31:2 Yet he too is wise ⁶  and he will bring disaster;

he does not retract his decree. ⁷ 

He will attack the wicked nation, ⁸ 

and the nation that helps ⁹  those who commit sin. ¹⁰ 

[1:26]  ¹ tn Heb “I will restore your judges as in the beginning; and your counselors as in the beginning.” In this context, where social injustice and legal corruption are denounced (see v. 23), the “judges” are probably government officials responsible for making legal decisions, while the “advisers” are probably officials who helped the king establish policies. Both offices are also mentioned in 3:2.

[28:6]  ² tn Heb “and [he will become] a spirit of justice for the one who sits [i.e., presides] over judgment, // and strength [for] the ones who turn back battle at the city gate.” The Lord will provide internal stability and national security.

[29:21]  ³ tn Heb “the ones who make a man a sinner with a word.” The Hiphil of חָטָא (khata’) here has a delocutive sense: “declare a man sinful/guilty.”

[29:21]  ⁴ sn Legal disputes were resolved at the city gate, where the town elders met. See Amos 5:10.

[29:21]  ⁵ tn Heb “and deprive by emptiness the innocent.”

[31:2]  ⁶ sn This statement appears to have a sarcastic tone. The royal advisers who are advocating an alliance with Egypt think they are wise, but the Lord possesses wisdom as well and will thwart their efforts.

[31:2]  ⁷ tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”

[31:2]  ⁸ tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”

[31:2]  ⁹ sn That is, Egypt.

[31:2]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”