45:1 This is what the Lord says to his chosen 1 one,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I hold 2
in order to subdue nations before him,
and disarm kings, 3
to open doors before him,
so gates remain unclosed:
45:8 O sky, rain down from above!
Let the clouds send down showers 4 of deliverance!
Let the earth absorb it 5 so salvation may grow, 6
and deliverance may sprout up 7 along with it.
I, the Lord, create it. 8
60:11 Your gates will remain open at all times;
they will not be shut during the day or at night,
so that the wealth of nations may be delivered,
with their kings leading the way. 9
1 tn Heb “anointed” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT); NCV “his appointed king.”
2 sn The “right hand” is a symbol of activity and strength; the Lord directs Cyrus’ activities and assures his success.
3 tn Heb “and the belts of kings I will loosen”; NRSV “strip kings of their robes”; NIV “strip kings of their armor.”
4 tn Heb “let the clouds drip with”; KJV “let the skies pour down.”
5 tn Heb “open up” (so NASB); NIV, NLT “open wide.”
6 tc The plural verb should be emended to a singular form. The vav (ו) ending is probably virtually dittographic (note the yod at the beginning of the following word).
7 tc The Hiphil verb form (תַצְמִיחַ, tatsmiakh) should probably be emended to a Qal (תִצְמַח, titsmakh). The יח sequence at the end of the form is probably due to dittography (note the following יַחַד, yakhad).
8 tn The masculine singular pronominal suffix probably refers back to יָשַׁע (yasha’, “salvation”).
7 tn Or “led in procession.” The participle is passive.