Isaiah 55:6-9

55:6 Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; ¹ 

call to him while he is nearby!

55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle ² 

and sinful people their plans. ³ 

They should return ⁴  to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, ⁵ 

and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. ⁶ 

55:8 “Indeed, ⁷  my plans ⁸  are not like ⁹  your plans,

and my deeds ¹⁰  are not like ¹¹  your deeds,

55:9 for just as the sky ¹²  is higher than the earth,

so my deeds ¹³  are superior to ¹⁴  your deeds

and my plans ¹⁵  superior to your plans.

[55:6]  ¹ tn Heb “while he allows himself to be found.” The Niphal form has a tolerative force here.

[55:7]  ² tn Heb “Let the wicked one abandon his way.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ³ tn Heb “and the man of evil his thoughts.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “let him return.” The singular is collective, meaning “let them.”

[55:7]  ⁵ tn The imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive after the jussive indicates purpose/result.

[55:7]  ⁶ sn The appeal and promise of vv. 6-7 echoes the language of Deut 4:25-31; 30:1-10; and 1 Kgs 8:46-53, all of which anticipate the exile and speak of the prerequisites for restoration.

[55:8]  ³ tn Or “For” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV).

[55:8]  ⁴ tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).

[55:8]  ⁵ tn Heb “are not.” “Like” is interpretive, but v. 9 indicates that a comparison is in view.

[55:8]  ⁶ tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).

[55:8]  ⁷ tn Heb “are not.” “Like” is interpretive, but v. 9 indicates that a comparison is in view.

[55:9]  ⁴ tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.

[55:9]  ⁵ tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).

[55:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “are higher than.”

[55:9]  ⁷ tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).