Isaiah 59:9

Israel Confesses its Sin

59:9 For this reason deliverance ¹  is far from us ² 

and salvation does not reach us.

We wait for light, ³  but see only darkness; ⁴ 

we wait for ⁵  a bright light, ⁶  but live ⁷  in deep darkness. ⁸ 

Isaiah 29:13

29:13 The sovereign master ⁹  says,

“These people say they are loyal to me; ¹⁰ 

they say wonderful things about me, ¹¹ 

but they are not really loyal to me. ¹² 

Their worship consists of

nothing but man-made ritual. ¹³ 

[59:9]  ¹ tn מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), which refers to “justice” in the earlier verses, here refers to “justice from God,” or “vindication.” Because the people are unjust, God refuses to vindicate them before their enemies. See v. 11.

[59:9]  ² sn The prophet speaks on behalf of the sinful nation and confesses its sins.

[59:9]  ³ sn Light here symbolizes prosperity and blessing.

[59:9]  ⁴ tn Heb “but, look, darkness”; NIV “but all is darkness.”

[59:9]  ⁵ tn The words “we wait for” are supplied in the translation; the verb is understood by ellipsis (note the preceding line).

[59:9]  ⁶ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.

[59:9]  ⁷ tn Or “walk about”; NCV “all we have is darkness.”

[59:9]  ⁸ tn The plural noun form may indicate degree here.

[29:13]  ⁹ tn The Hebrew term translated “sovereign master” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonai).

[29:13]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “Because these people draw near to me with their mouth.”

[29:13]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and with their lips they honor me.”

[29:13]  ¹² tn Heb “but their heart is far from me.” The heart is viewed here as the seat of the will, from which genuine loyalty derives.

[29:13]  ¹³ tn Heb “their fear of me is a commandment of men that has been taught.”