30:11 Turn aside from the way,
stray off the path. 1
Remove from our presence the Holy One of Israel.” 2
30:12 For this reason this is what the Holy One of Israel says:
“You have rejected this message; 3
you trust instead in your ability to oppress and trick, 4
and rely on that kind of behavior. 5
30:13 So this sin will become your downfall.
You will be like a high wall
that bulges and cracks and is ready to collapse;
it crumbles suddenly, in a flash. 6
30:14 It shatters in pieces like a clay jar,
so shattered to bits that none of it can be salvaged. 7
Among its fragments one cannot find a shard large enough 8
to scoop a hot coal from a fire 9
or to skim off water from a cistern.” 10
30:15 For this is what the master, the Lord, the Holy One of Israel says:
“If you repented and patiently waited for me, you would be delivered; 11
if you calmly trusted in me you would find strength, 12
but you are unwilling.
1 sn The imagery refers to the way or path of truth, as revealed by God to the prophet.
2 sn See the note on the phrase “the Holy One of Israel” in 1:4.
3 tn The sentence actually begins with the word “because.” In the Hebrew text vv. 12-13 are one long sentence.
4 tn Heb “and you trust in oppression and cunning.”
5 tn Heb “and you lean on it”; NAB “and depend on it.”
6 tn The verse reads literally, “So this sin will become for you like a breach ready to fall, bulging on a high wall, the breaking of which comes suddenly, in a flash.” Their sin produces guilt and will result in judgment. Like a wall that collapses their fall will be swift and sudden.
7 tn Heb “Its shattering is like the shattering of a jug of [i.e., “made by”] potters, [so] shattered one cannot save [any of it].”
8 tn The words “large enough” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
9 tn Heb “to remove fire from the place of kindling.”
10 tn On the meaning of גֶבֶא (geveh, “cistern”) see HALOT 170 s.v.
11 tn Heb “in returning and in quietness you will be delivered.” Many English versions render the last phrase “shall be saved” or something similar (e.g., NAB, NASB, NRSV).
12 tn Heb “in quietness and in trust is your strength” (NASB and NRSV both similar).