44:20 He feeds on ashes; 1
his deceived mind misleads him.
He cannot rescue himself,
nor does he say, ‘Is this not a false god I hold in my right hand?’ 2
61:3 to strengthen those who mourn in Zion,
by giving them a turban, instead of ashes,
oil symbolizing joy, 3 instead of mourning,
a garment symbolizing praise, 4 instead of discouragement. 5
They will be called oaks of righteousness, 6
trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor. 7
1 tn Or perhaps, “he eats on an ash heap.”
2 tn Heb “Is it not a lie in my right hand?”
3 tn Heb “oil of joy” (KJV, ASV); NASB, NIV, NRSV “the oil of gladness.”
4 tn Heb “garment of praise.”
5 tn Heb “a faint spirit” (so NRSV); KJV, ASV “the spirit of heaviness”; NASB “a spirit of fainting.”
6 tn Rather than referring to the character of the people, צֶדֶק (tsedeq) may carry the nuance “vindication” here, suggesting that God’s restored people are a testimony to his justice. See v. 2, which alludes to the fact that God will take vengeance against the enemies of his people. Cf. NAB “oaks of justice.”
7 tn Heb “a planting of the Lord to reveal splendor.”