Isaiah 43:25-28

43:25 I, I am the one who blots out your rebellious deeds for my sake;

your sins I do not remember.

43:26 Remind me of what happened! Let’s debate!

You, prove to me that you are right! ¹ 

43:27 The father of your nation ²  sinned;

your spokesmen ³  rebelled against me.

43:28 So I defiled your holy princes,

and handed Jacob over to destruction,

and subjected ⁴  Israel to humiliating abuse.”

[43:26]  ¹ tn Heb “you, tell in order that you may be right”; NAB “prove your innocence.”

[43:27]  ² tn Heb “your first father.” This could refer to Abraham (see 51:2), but elsewhere in Isaiah he does not appear in a negative light (see 29:22; 41:8; 63:16). A more likely candidate is Jacob/Israel, also referred to as the nation’s “father” elsewhere (see 58:14; 63:16).

[43:27]  ³ tn On the meaning of the term לִיץ (lits), see HALOT 590 s.v. מֵלִיץ. This may refer to the nation’s prophets, priests, and/or kings.

[43:28]  ⁴ tn The word “subjected” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.