Isaiah 65:17-18

65:17 For look, I am ready to create

new heavens and a new earth! ¹ 

The former ones ²  will not be remembered;

no one will think about them anymore. ³ 

65:18 But be happy and rejoice forevermore

over what I am about to create!

For look, I am ready to create Jerusalem ⁴  to be a source of joy, ⁵ 

and her people to be a source of happiness. ⁶ 

[65:17]  ¹ sn This hyperbolic statement likens the coming transformation of Jerusalem (see vv. 18-19) to a new creation of the cosmos.

[65:17]  ² tn Or perhaps, “the former things” (so ASV, NASB, NIV, NRSV); TEV “The events of the past.”

[65:17]  ³ tn Heb “and they will not come up on the mind.”

[65:18]  ⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[65:18]  ⁵ tn Heb “Jerusalem, joy.” The next verse suggests the meaning: The Lord will create Jerusalem to be a source of joy to himself.

[65:18]  ⁶ tn Heb “her people, happiness.” See the preceding note.