Yesaya 8:12

8:12 “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ every time these people say the word. ¹ 

Don’t be afraid of what scares them; don’t be terrified.

Yesaya 13:14

13:14 Like a frightened gazelle ² 

or a sheep with no shepherd,

each will turn toward home, ³ 

each will run to his homeland.

Yesaya 31:2

31:2 Yet he too is wise ⁴  and he will bring disaster;

he does not retract his decree. ⁵ 

He will attack the wicked nation, ⁶ 

and the nation that helps ⁷  those who commit sin. ⁸ 

Yesaya 32:7

32:7 A deceiver’s methods are evil; ⁹ 

he dreams up evil plans ¹⁰ 

to ruin the poor with lies,

even when the needy are in the right. ¹¹ 

Yesaya 38:19

38:19 The living person, the living person, he gives you thanks,

as I do today.

A father tells his sons about your faithfulness.

Yesaya 40:6

40:6 A voice says, “Cry out!”

Another asks, ¹²  “What should I cry out?”

The first voice responds: ¹³  “All people are like grass, ¹⁴ 

and all their promises ¹⁵  are like the flowers in the field.

Yesaya 41:12

41:12 When you will look for your opponents, ¹⁶  you will not find them;

your enemies ¹⁷  will be reduced to absolutely nothing.

Yesaya 64:11

64:11 Our holy temple, our pride and joy, ¹⁸ 

the place where our ancestors praised you,

has been burned with fire;

all our prized possessions have been destroyed. ¹⁹ 

[8:12]  ¹ tn Heb “Do not say, ‘Conspiracy,’ with respect to all which these people say, ‘Conspiracy.’” The verb translated “do not say” is second masculine plural, indicating that this exhortation is directed to Isaiah and other followers of the Lord (see v. 16).

[8:12]  sn The background of this command is uncertain. Perhaps the “conspiracy” in view is the alliance between Israel and Syria. Some of the people may even have thought that individuals in Judah were plotting with Israel and Syria to overthrow the king.

[13:14]  ² tn Or “like a gazelle being chased.” The verb that introduces this verse serves as a discourse particle and is untranslated; see note on “in the future” in 2:2.

[13:14]  ³ tn Heb “his people” (cf. KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or “his nation” (cf. TEV “their own countries”).

[31:2]  ⁴ 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]  ⁵ tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”

[31:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”

[31:2]  ⁷ sn That is, Egypt.

[31:2]  ⁸ tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”

[32:7]  ⁹ tn Heb “as for a deceiver, his implements [or “weapons”] are evil.”

[32:7]  ¹⁰ tn Or “he plans evil things”; NIV “he makes up evil schemes.”

[32:7]  ¹¹ tn Heb “to ruin the poor with words of falsehood, even when the needy speak what is just.”

[40:6]  ¹² tn Heb “and he says.” Apparently a second “voice” responds to the command of the first “voice.”

[40:6]  ¹³ tn The words “the first voice responds” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The first voice tells the second one what to declare.

[40:6]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “all flesh is grass.” The point of the metaphor is explained in v. 7.

[40:6]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “and all his loyalty.” The antecedent of the third masculine suffix is בָּשָׂר (basar, “flesh”), which refers collectively to mankind. The LXX, apparently understanding the antecedent as “grass,” reads “glory,” but חֶסֶד (khesed) rarely, if ever, has this nuance. The normal meaning of חֶסֶד (“faithfulness, loyalty, devotion”) fits very well in the argument. Human beings and their faithfulness (verbal expressions of faithfulness are specifically in view; cf. NRSV “constancy”) are short-lived and unreliable, in stark contrast to the decrees and promises of the eternal God.

[41:12]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “the men of your struggle”; NASB “those who quarrel with you.”

[41:12]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “the men of your battle”; NAB “who do battle with you.”

[64:11]  ¹⁸ tn Heb “our source of pride.”

[64:11]  ¹⁹ tn Or “all that we valued has become a ruin.”