Isaiah 37:3

37:3 “This is what Hezekiah says: ¹  ‘This is a day of distress, insults, ²  and humiliation, ³  as when a baby is ready to leave the birth canal, but the mother lacks the strength to push it through. ⁴ 

Isaiah 40:11

40:11 Like a shepherd he tends his flock;

he gathers up the lambs with his arm;

he carries them close to his heart; ⁵ 

he leads the ewes along.

¹ tn In the Hebrew text this verse begins with “they said to him” (cf. NRSV).

² tn Or “rebuke” (KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV), or “correction.”

³ tn Or “contempt”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “disgrace.”

⁴ tn Heb “when sons come to the cervical opening and there is no strength to give birth.”

⁵ tn Heb “in his bosom” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NRSV), an expression which reflects closeness and protective care.