15 For this is what the Lord [a]God, the Holy One of Israel, has said:

“In [b]repentance and (A)rest you will be saved,
In (B)quietness and trust is your strength.”
But you were not willing,
16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on (C)horses!”
Therefore you shall flee!
“And we will ride on swift horses!”
Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift.
17 (D)One thousand will flee at the threat of one man;
You will flee at the threat of five,
Until you are left like a signal post on a mountain top,
And like a flag on a hill.

God Is Gracious and Just

18 Therefore the Lord [c](E)longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He [d]waits on (F)high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a (G)God of justice;
How blessed are all those who [e](H)long for Him.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 30:15 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
  2. Isaiah 30:15 Lit returning
  3. Isaiah 30:18 Lit waits
  4. Isaiah 30:18 Lit is on high
  5. Isaiah 30:18 Lit wait

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord,
    the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
    and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
    But you would have none of it.
16 You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt.
    They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’
But the only swiftness you are going to see
    is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!
17 One of them will chase a thousand of you.
    Five of them will make all of you flee.
You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill
    or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

Blessings for the Lord’s People

18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
    so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
    Blessed are those who wait for his help.

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