Isaiah 31:2

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 

Isaiah 41:4

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 

Isaiah 44:15

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 

[31:2]  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.

[31:2]  ² tn Heb “and he does not turn aside [i.e., “retract”] his words”; NIV “does not take back his words.”

[31:2]  ³ tn Heb “and he will arise against the house of the wicked.”

[31:2]  ⁴ sn That is, Egypt.

[31:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “and against the help of the doers of sin.”

[41:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “Who acts and accomplishes?”; NASB “Who has performed and accomplished it.”

[41:4]  ⁷ tn The interrogative particle is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[41:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “I, the Lord, [am with] the first, and with the last ones I [am] he.”

[44:15]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and it becomes burning [i.e., firewood] for a man”; NAB “to serve man for fuel.”

[44:15]  ¹² tn Or perhaps, “them.”