Isaiah 55:2

55:2 Why pay money for something that will not nourish you? ¹ 

Why spend ²  your hard-earned money ³  on something that will not satisfy?

Listen carefully ⁴  to me and eat what is nourishing! ⁵ 

Enjoy fine food! ⁶ 

Isaiah 66:17

66:17 “As for those who consecrate and ritually purify themselves so they can follow their leader and worship in the sacred orchards, ⁷  those who eat the flesh of pigs and other disgusting creatures, like mice ⁸  – they will all be destroyed together,” ⁹  says the Lord.

[55:2]  ¹ tn Heb “for what is not food.”

[55:2]  ² tn The interrogative particle and the verb “spend” are understood here by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[55:2]  ³ tn Heb “your labor,” which stands by metonymy for that which one earns.

[55:2]  ⁴ tn The infinitive absolute follows the imperative and lends emphasis to the exhortation.

[55:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “good” (so NASB, NIV, NRSV).

[55:2]  ⁶ tn Heb “Let your appetite delight in fine food.”

[66:17]  ⁷ tn Heb “the ones who consecrate themselves and the ones who purify themselves toward the orchards [or “gardens”] after the one in the midst.” The precise meaning of the statement is unclear, though it is obvious that some form of idolatry is in view.

[66:17]  ⁸ tn Heb “ones who eat the flesh of the pig and the disgusting thing and the mouse.”

[66:17]  ⁹ tn Heb “together they will come to an end.”