Isaiah 40:15-17

40:15 Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket;

they are regarded as dust on the scales.

He lifts ¹  the coastlands ²  as if they were dust.

40:16 Not even Lebanon could supply enough firewood for a sacrifice; ³ 

its wild animals would not provide enough burnt offerings. ⁴ 

40:17 All the nations are insignificant before him;

they are regarded as absolutely nothing. ⁵ 

[40:15]  ¹ tn Or “weighs” (NIV); NLT “picks up.”

[40:15]  ² tn Or “islands” (NASB, NIV, NLT).

[40:16]  ³ tn The words “for a sacrifice” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[40:16]  ⁴ sn The point is that not even the Lebanon forest could supply enough wood and animals for an adequate sacrifice to the Lord.

[40:17]  ⁵ tn Heb “[as derived] from nothing and unformed.”