31:2 Yet he too is wise 1 and he will bring disaster;
he does not retract his decree. 2
He will attack the wicked nation, 3
and the nation that helps 4 those who commit sin. 5
41:4 Who acts and carries out decrees? 6
Who 7 summons the successive generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am present at the very beginning,
and at the very end – I am the one. 8
44:15 A man uses it to make a fire; 9
he takes some of it and warms himself.
Yes, he kindles a fire and bakes bread.
Then he makes a god and worships it;
he makes an idol and bows down to it. 10
1 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.
2 tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”
3 tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”
4 sn That is, Egypt.
5 tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”
6 tn Heb “Who acts and accomplishes?”; NASB “Who has performed and accomplished it.”
7 tn The interrogative particle is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).
8 tn Heb “I, the Lord, [am with] the first, and with the last ones I [am] he.”
11 tn Heb “and it becomes burning [i.e., firewood] for a man”; NAB “to serve man for fuel.”
12 tn Or perhaps, “them.”