Isaiah 41:7

41:7 The craftsman encourages the metalsmith,

the one who wields the hammer encourages ¹  the one who pounds on the anvil.

He approves the quality of the welding, ² 

and nails it down so it won’t fall over.”

Isaiah 41:26

41:26 Who decreed this from the beginning, so we could know?

Who announced it ³  ahead of time, so we could say, ‘He’s correct’?

Indeed, none of them decreed it!

Indeed, none of them announced it!

Indeed, no one heard you say anything!

[41:7]  ¹ tn The verb “encourages” is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[41:7]  ² tn Heb “saying of the welding, ‘It is good.’”

[41:26]  ³ tn The words “who announced it” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The interrogative particle and verb are understood by ellipsis (see the preceding line).