Isaiah 55:7-9

55:7 The wicked need to abandon their lifestyle ¹ 

and sinful people their plans. ² 

They should return ³  to the Lord, and he will show mercy to them, ⁴ 

and to their God, for he will freely forgive them. ⁵ 

55:8 “Indeed, ⁶  my plans ⁷  are not like ⁸  your plans,

and my deeds ⁹  are not like ¹⁰  your deeds,

55:9 for just as the sky ¹¹  is higher than the earth,

so my deeds ¹²  are superior to ¹³  your deeds

and my plans ¹⁴  superior to your plans.

[55:7]  ¹ tn Heb “Let the wicked one abandon his way.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ² tn Heb “and the man of evil his thoughts.” The singular is collective.

[55:7]  ³ tn Heb “let him return.” The singular is collective, meaning “let them.”

[55:7]  ⁴ tn The imperfect with vav (ו) conjunctive after the jussive indicates purpose/result.

[55:7]  ⁵ 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]  ⁶ tn Or “For” (KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV).

[55:8]  ⁷ tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).

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

[55:8]  ⁹ tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).

[55:8]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “are not.” “Like” is interpretive, but v. 9 indicates that a comparison is in view.

[55:9]  ¹¹ tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.

[55:9]  ¹² tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).

[55:9]  ¹³ tn Heb “are higher than.”

[55:9]  ¹⁴ tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).