Isaiah 55:9-13

55:9 for just as the sky ¹  is higher than the earth,

so my deeds ²  are superior to ³  your deeds

and my plans ⁴  superior to your plans.

55:10 ⁵ The rain and snow fall from the sky

and do not return,

but instead water the earth

and make it produce and yield crops,

and provide seed for the planter and food for those who must eat.

55:11 In the same way, the promise that I make

does not return to me, having accomplished nothing. ⁶ 

No, it is realized as I desire

and is fulfilled as I intend.” ⁷ 

55:12 Indeed you will go out with joy;

you will be led along in peace;

the mountains and hills will give a joyful shout before you,

and all the trees in the field will clap their hands.

55:13 Evergreens will grow in place of thorn bushes,

firs will grow in place of nettles;

they will be a monument to the Lord, ⁸ 

a permanent reminder that will remain. ⁹ 

[55:9]  ¹ tn Or “the heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heavens” or “sky” depending on the context.

[55:9]  ² tn Heb “ways” (so many English versions).

[55:9]  ³ tn Heb “are higher than.”

[55:9]  ⁴ tn Or “thoughts” (so many English versions).

[55:10]  ⁵ tn This verse begins in the Hebrew text with כִּי כַּאֲשֶׁר (ki ka’asher, “for, just as”), which is completed by כֵּן (ken, “so, in the same way”) at the beginning of v. 11. For stylistic reasons, this lengthy sentence is divided up into separate sentences in the translation.

[55:11]  ⁶ tn Heb “so is the word which goes out from my mouth, it does not return to empty.” “Word” refers here to divine promises, like the ones made just prior to and after this (see vv. 7b, 12-13).

[55:11]  ⁷ tn Heb “but it accomplishes what I desire, and succeeds [on the mission] which I send it.”

[55:13]  ⁸ tn Heb “to the Lord for a name.” For שֵׁם (shem) used in the sense of “monument,” see also 56:5, where it stands parallel to יָד (yad).

[55:13]  ⁹ tn Or, more literally, “a permanent sign that will not be cut off.”